Enfield Markings

Page 2

The stampings and engravings found on the Lee Enfield, if understood, can explain quite a bit of the particular rifles history. Following is a list of the more common marks found on the average Enfield. Where possible I have included an actual image. Unfortunately some of these markings are quite small and hard to capture clearly in a picture, so some appear a little out of focus, for this I apologize.

Broad Arrows

The Broad Arrow was the British government�s acceptance mark. This stamp was struck on the rifle in numerous places when it had passed quality control and was accepted into service. Most Commonwealth countries had its own unique stamp for ownership purposes, but many used the Broad Arrow all the same

Broad Arrow

The British government's acceptance mark. Of note, the Broad Arrow was the most commonly used symbol showing government ownership by most all Commonwealth countries and so may be found on rifles that may have never been in actual British service.

C Broad Arrow
The Canadian government's acceptance mark.

New Zealand Broad Arrow
Pictured stamped on the buttsocket of a Longbranch No4.

Australian Broad Arrow

Buttsocket Markings (SMLE, No1 Rifles)

The right side of the buttsocket for the SMLE, was the primary location for stamping Number and Mark, name of manufacturer and year manufactured.

S^HT LE

Part of the identifying stamps on a SMLE No1. It signifies Short Lee Enfield.

LITHGOW

Australia's government arsenal that produced SMLE's from 1912 through to the 1950's.

The early style Lithgow marking.

The later style of Lithgow marking.

Receiver Markings (No4 Rifles)

The left side of the receiver wall, is the most common location to find Number & Mark, name of manufacturer and year manufactured, on the No4 rifle. Although occasionally, this information was stamped onto the left side buttsocket. Up to about 1945, this information was stamped into the metal work using punches, from this year forward the arsenals switched to using an electro-pencil to engrave the same information.

Some samples of the earlier practice of stamping information on the rifle receivers using punches

Later samples of the engraving practice using electro-pencil