1942 Fazakerley No4 Mk1. Really nice rifle

[martin08]

This one looks like it was built this week.

Anyway, what can the experts tell me? Don't be bashful. Thanks.

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[Alan de Enfield]

Anyway, what can the experts tell me? Don't be bashful. Thanks.

Well, it has a non standard part fitted.

The suffix A in the part number means that a fault was made during manufacture meaning that a standard part could not be used so a 'one-off' part was used. The A is a 'warning' to armourers that they may find that they cannot repair the rifle as standard parts will not fit.

There is no indication what the fault is, it could be as simple as a hole was drilled oversize and they had to tap it for the next size up bolt, or, it could be something major relating to the body / action.

[Roger Payne]

It's a nice tidy rifle from what I can see. The A suffix rifles are not uncommon, & although it meant that that they might be difficult when it came to repairs, it did not mean that they were unsafe to fire. I do not believe that it came out of ROFF looking like that. Firstly, it appears to have been black painted (quite probably suncorite) which was not in use in 1942. The original finish is more likely to have been oil blacked or blued early in the war. On top of this the charger bridge insert has been welded over. This occurred very commonly with repairs & refurbishment, as the little insert commonly worked loose, & 'slipping a gob of weld' on it was a sure fix.

I'm also not sure why the rifle serial has been stamped into the butt in the same place that scope numbers were stamped on No 4 T's......I don't think there was ever a requirement for it in UK service, although no doubt someone will correct me on this if I have it wrong.

But it's a nice looking rifle regardless.

[martin08]

The only 'import' mark is a tiny "U.K. .303 BR" on the left side of the receiver, and it cuts through the paint. Is this the original Suncorite finish? Thanks

[martin08]

It's a nice tidy rifle from what I can see. The A suffix rifles are not uncommon, & although it meant that that they might be difficult when it came to repairs, it did not mean that they were unsafe to fire. I do not believe that it came out of ROFF looking like that. Firstly, it appears to have been black painted (quite probably suncorite) which was not in use in 1942. The original finish is more likely to have been oil blacked early in the war. On top of this the charger bridge insert has been welded over. This occurred very commonly with repairs & refurbishment, as the little insert commonly worked loose, & 'slipping a gob of weld' on it was a sure fix.

I'm also not sure why the rifle serial has been stamped into the butt in the same place that scope numbers were stamped on No 4 T's......I don't think there was ever a requirement for it in UK service, although no doubt someone will correct me on this if I have it wrong.

But it's a nice looking rifle regardless.

I'll try to get the internal receiver pictures soon. It looks like a gun which was never refinished.

[martin08]

Here's a better angle of the charger bridge.

[browningautorifle]

Is this the original Suncorite finish?

It can't be original suncorite can it? The charger bridge bears the proof of the spot weld to hold it tight and that was done well after the fact wasn't it? A repair for a loose charger bridge?

[martin08]

It can't be original suncorite can it? The charger bridge bears the proof of the spot weld to hold it tight and that was done well after the fact wasn't it? A repair for a loose charger bridge?

Yes. Now I am researching that Suncorite was not applied to new rifles until '44 or very late '43 at the earliest. So this is post-production, but no FTR date as I have seen on others.

Thanks.

[Bindi2]

The rear sight is still in the white.

[martin08]

The rear sight is still in the white.

Yes. Rear sight is unfinished underneath, and the top surface is polished. Also in the white are the majority of the bolt body (handle is suncorite), the bolt head and face, and feedramp.

Rear of the charger bridge is also in the white.

Any significance to this? Thanks.