Here's a little beauty I picked up today at the local gun show. The sling interests me. Who is the manufacturer M.I.A.? It's dated 1942. And the marking R.O.K. 46. Republic Of Korea?? Very pleased with this 'un.
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Here's a little beauty I picked up today at the local gun show. The sling interests me. Who is the manufacturer M.I.A.? It's dated 1942. And the marking R.O.K. 46. Republic Of Korea?? Very pleased with this 'un.
The ROF(F) is actually the manufacturer
ROF = Royal Ordnance Factory
F = Fazakerly (Near Liverpool)
the 11/46 is the date ( November 1946)
Sorry cannot help with the ROK or MIA
Wasn´t ROK the South Korean Army during the Korean War?
Alan, is the 11/46 the date of manufacture? I see nothing saying FTR on it. There appears to have been something that was stamped onto the butt socket, but it is well worn beyond reading. Oh, on the butt itself is hand painted a 2 over 136. Rack number or unit designation?
Yes 11/46 is the DoM. As Alan said: November 1946.
Where does FTR come into it?
The painted numbers found on furniture could mean anything. There was/is not a standard. Each unit did as it pleased.
The weave of the sling along with the MIA seem to confirm Australian manufacture.
Only thing making me scratch my head about it is the bolt handle. They're usually hollowed out, but this one isn't. Yet the number on it matches everything else.
You need to read the MANY threads about bolts. All No4 and 5 bolts were fully interchangeable and often were. A hole in the end doesn't indicate a No5 bolt nor does a solid bolt indicate a No4 bolt
Obviously FTR´ed for a Near Eastern potentate:
LE No. 5 Mk 2 on a No. 4 action body in .308 by Charnwood with an internally hung trigger ... and have just got the buttstock back from checkering. He did a fantastic job. Much too nice to shoot but I´m booked in to the range tomorrow.
THAT is nice.