Markings on British Military Sniper rifles....

[Missing Something]

Does anyone have any references to the meaning of the Maltese Cross stamps in the wood of #4 sniper rifles?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Craig

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[Lee Enfield]

Does anyone have any references to the meaning of the Maltese Cross stamps in the wood of #4 sniper rifles?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Craig

reference documents? No.

What does it mean? It's commonly accepted to mean: "Fitted parts which are not meant to be seperated".

Never seen it on a British sniper, but common to the Canadian Long Branch No4MkI*T

Usually found on the forend and sometimes found on the front pad and/or MkI/I rear sight. I've seen them with, and seen them without.

[Badger]

As Lee Enfield points out, the "Maltese Cross" indicates non-standard parts. You often see it on various parts made by Savage and fitted to Long Branch sniper rifles. ie: wood components and rear sights.

Check under the Canada - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)

Read the Observations section and view the 160 pic photo montage of our MKL entry of a 1945 Enfield No.4 Mk1*(T) Long Branch Sniper Rifle (click here).

On various examples, I've seen the rear sight marked with the "Maltese Cross" and on some others not. You should find it underneath up front on the forestock as well.

Regards,
Badger

[Missing Something]

Has there be any other instances where its been placed on other weapons?

[Lee Enfield]

Has there be any other instances where its been placed on other weapons?

I've seen it on only 1 other Canadian firearm:

Click here

One of the Canadian No4 Lightweight troop trials rifles which I have seen illustrated had it on the bolt-head and the rear sight.

To be fair though, that rear sight was a MkI/I off a Long Branch sniper.

I don't know that the one illustrated here exhibits these features.

[Missing Something]

Well.. I found a few other things with Maltese cross markings....

*Cased .475 Number 2 Nitro W. J. Jeffery Boxlock Ejector Double Barrel Rifle

Serial no. 28745. .475 Number 2 Nitro. 24-inch chopper lump barrels marked: W. J. Jeffery & Co. Ltd. / 9 Golden Square, Regent Street, London. W.1. Matted concave quarter rib with express sights: 1 standing marked 100 and 4 folding from 200 to 500. Rib with locking doll's head. Matted concave forward rib with spear front sight and moon sight on a matted ramped base with sight protector. Casehardened boxlock action with chain border engraving and game scenes: pair of tigers in a savanna setting on each side of the action. Blued floorplate with a circular medallion. Blued triggerguard with chain border engraving. Ejectors. Automatic safety. Locking third fastener. Disc set strikers. Checkered pistol grip stock of figured walnut. Recent red Pachmayr Old English recoil pad. Casehardened steel grip cap engraved with fine foliate scroll with trap. Trap with spare front sight with moon sight wrapped in a piece of flannel. Vacant silver oval. Sling eyes. Checkered splinter fore-end with Anson-style release. Period green canvas and tan leather trunk case with brass corners and hardware. Green baize interior with maker's maroon leather label marked with the 26 Bury Street, St. James's, London address. Case with 24-inch barrel channel. Accessories include: Leather strap with locking hook fasteners. Pull-through in a brown leather pouch. Later nickel-silver square oil bottle. Two boxes of 10 cartridges in tan boxes with orange labels marked: Smokeless tropical load / .475 No. 2 Cordite Express Rifle Cartridges / Bullet 500 grains / Pattern of Bullet - Solid / W. J. Jeffery & Co. Ltd. / 26 Bury Street, St. James' / London, S.W. 1. One box contains all solids wrapped in tissue paper, the other contains 4 solids and 6 soft point.

Condition: Excellent, as partially redone. Barrels show 85-90% bluing with losses and wear on sides at front of fore-end. Bright bores with sharp rifling. The folding leaves show a brown patina on the top surface. Action shows 60-70% case colors with vivid colors on the top of the action and fences and protected areas. The sides of the fences show losses to the colors. Floorplate shows 95% bluing with some thinning and scratches. Triggerguard shows bluing losses to the tang. Triggers show some slight spotting. Refinished stock shows very few very light marks. Replaced recoil pad. Refinished fore-end shows two older bruises. Fore-end furniture shows a silver gray patina. Refreshed checkering. Case in very good condition with a recolored canvas finish showing older scratches to finish. Leather trim shows a three inch loss on the bottom edge of the end. Handle stitching has failed and the handle is not attached. Interior in excellent condition. One box of ammunition in excellent condition the other in very good condition with splits at the seams.

Pull: 14 5/8 inches. Weight: 11 pounds, 9 ounces.





I found this. Another Maltese cross on a US issue Colt Commando revolver. Pg. 165 of US Handguns of WW2 by Charles Pate.

It states in the book " The last military contract purchase of Commando revolvers was an order for 252 revolvers with four inch barrels that was shipped to the Army Military Intelligence Service on Feb. 20, 45. Only one example from this contract has been found to date and it does not have the normal military markings. It does have a Maltese Cross stamped on the left frame."





Anybody have any theories or comments?