No.4 Mk1 markings for survey

[1ned1]

I’m currently surveying my No.4 Mk1 (T) trials rifle. I could really use some help with understanding a few of the markings on the receiver and barrel. I have attached some photos.
- Why so many repeat crown inspection marks on barrel? 5 plus the GR proof.
- AA 16 on receiver?
- B6 on barrel?
Apologies for the lousy dusty photos. I’ll take high quality photos of the rifle for future posting.
Any assistance that can be offered would be much appreciated.
Thank you.

[Roger Payne]

Thanks for yours. A host of inspector's & other marks is absolutely typical of Trials era No4's. If I have it correctly an individual inspector would probably be responsible for only one or two aspects of the rifle undergoing production, marking it with his individual stamp once it had passed through the necessary procedure relevant to him satisfactorily; there being numerous stages in manufacture there would be numerous inspectors & therefore numerous marks. (Lithgow SMLE's are a great example of this!). If you look at each individual mark, whilst they are generally similar the exact combination of numbers & letters is unique to each, & identifies a specific inspector. Most 4T fans know of Harry Hardwick whose code of crown D6 E was stamped on most H&H converted 4T's. Harry was an Enfield inspector 'outlying' at the H&H factory.

I believe that the AA16 & the B6 most likely relate to the steel batch & supplier, though off the top of my head I cannot tell you which factories.......someone else may be able to help with that.

It's not a lot but I hope it helps a little.

[Peter Laidler]

In response to a PM from the author of this thread, I've nothing to add to Rogers response except that I agree that the AA mark is the steel batch. Important during trials to ascertain movement, stress and wear of a particular batch

[Surpmil]

Serial number A0943, dated 1930, for future reference if any.