Lee Enfield Stampings

[dvacek50]

I was given a No. 4 Mark 1/3 Stevens Arms rifle for Christmas. I believe I have deciphered most of the stampings and markings on the rifle. However, just a few questions.

One source I found said that Stevens had contracted to build 200,000 rifles but my serial number (43C3XXX) indicates mine was in the 433,000 range. Or, am I reading the serial number wrong?

"England" is stamped on the breech which I believe is an import stamp. Does this mean my rifle was made in the United States, sent to England, and then imported back to the U.S.? I have seen many rifles that don't have the "England" stamp.

Also, other rifles I have seen have R.A. Co. Ridgefield NJ and C.A.I. Georgia UT stampings. What is the significance of those stampings?

Information

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[RobSmith]

England is the standard civilian mark that woult have been applied when the rifle was surplussed.

[Peter Laidler]

Are you sure about that Rob............... I saw thousands set aside for UK MoD disposal and they weren't marked in any way. Maybe ENGLAND is a US Import mark perhaps

[ickmann]

Also, other rifles I have seen have R.A. Co. Ridgefield NJ and C.A.I. Georgia UT stampings. What is the significance of those stampings?

These are just the importer's stampings. US law requires the importers name and location to be marked on the rifle. No significance other than defacing nice old milsurps.

[Mk VII]

Somebody at the importers thought all L-Es should be stamped ENGLAND, and did it.
Navy Arms and Century Arms International are just two importers who were required to mark their imports more clearly in recent years.

[RobSmith]

My understanding is that all of those surplussed by/in the UK got the standard "England, 18.5 tons, 2.22" Over the breech, presumably after they went thru a civilian proof house ... Please do correct me if I'm out to lunch here. Every Enfield I've ever handled (Except the Australian ones) have such markings.

Are you sure about that Rob............... I saw thousands set aside for UK MoD disposal and they weren't marked in any way. Maybe ENGLAND is a US Import mark perhaps

[jrhead75]

They did not. There are plenty of surplussed British weapons out there with the proof markings sans "England". BTW...I've got an Aussie rifle with "Australia" stamped on it. There are no British laws pertaining to marking country of origin on commercially proofed firearms, whereas such markings have been part of US import law since the early 20th century.

[Alan de Enfield]

My understanding is that all of those surplussed by/in the UK got the standard "England, 18.5 tons, 2.22" Over the breech, presumably after they went thru a civilian proof house ... Please do correct me if I'm out to lunch here. Every Enfield I've ever handled (Except the Australian ones) have such markings.

The 18.5 tons, 2.222" and BNP are UK Civilian proof markings that show it was at some time in Uk civilian hands prior to making its way to the USA.
The England stamp was nothing to do with England / UK exporting the rifle - it was a US requirement for importation to show country of origin.

The England marking could be applied by a contractor (in the UK) commissioned by the US buyer, it was NOT applied by the UK Government - or it could be applied at the point of importation (maybe in a bonded warehouse) by the US buyer.

[boltaction]

The 18.5 tons, 2.222" and BNP are UK Civilian proof markings that show it was at some time in Uk civilian hands prior to making its way to the USA.
The England stamp was nothing to do with England / UK exporting the rifle - it was a US requirement for importation to show country of origin.

The England marking could be applied by a contractor (in the UK) commissioned by the US buyer, it was NOT applied by the UK Government - or it could be applied at the point of importation (maybe in a bonded warehouse) by the US buyer.

So, was the England stamp ever applied for Canadian purposes? I'm wondering because a number of the Long Branch sniper rifles have "England" stamped on them, but they were not brought in via the US to my knowledge. Or, was it a case of them being stamped over in England on behalf of a North American importer before coming over here?

Thx

Ed

[Beerhunter]

England is the standard civilian mark that woult have been applied when the rifle was surplussed.

As has been said many times. Not the case at all.