South African No. 4 Mk I

[Pattern14]

Does anyone know what the small "M" inside a "U" stands for (in words) on a 1948 South African Army No. 4 Mk 1 built at Fazakerley? Usually the Army mark was a broad arrow inside a "U".

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[Fletch]

Does anyone know what the small "M" inside a "U" stands for (in words) on a 1948 South African Army No. 4 Mk 1 built at Fazakerley? Usually the Army mark was a broad arrow inside a "U".

This info comes from a site called Enfield-stuff.com:

Sometime after WWII an M makes it's appearance within the South African U. It is believed that this mark was used after 31st May, 1961, when the Union of South Africa left the British Commonwealth and became the Republic of South Africa. This mark has been seen on both rifles and oilers.

[Amatikulu]

The "M" is described on one website as meaning "Militaire" which is a French word for a military complex. In Dutch the word is "Militair." In 1961, the South African Defence Force was still heavily influenced by its ties to Britain and it seems plausible that the "M" could have been a mark for "Military or Militair"

[Kev G]

Also on magazines


For other SA markings

ATB Kevin