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This is a no4 mk2 Faz. Made in 7/52.
I've been wondering what this engraving means on the stock for a very long time... It's on the underside of the butt stock ... I literally have no idea. A Google search shows no results. Can post more photos of rifle if needed... Just don't have any on hand right now. Has broad arrow acceptance mark.
Engraving reads... SP 27 43
Anyone know? Thanks.
I'll hazard a guess at Singapore Police Force....
That's a very interesting. I was thinking maybe south africa for some reason... Why do you guess singapore police force?Quote:
Originally Posted by mrclark303
South Africa would probably be marked SA, on butt discs South African Police is marked, SAP as an example.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fruler
Well, their later L1A1 and L2A1's were marked SPF 'rack number' some I have seen have only had SP and a number.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fruler
Just a possibility....
Probably a 'rack' number. Same idea as putting white paint on the assorted S/N, etc. stamps. Makes it easy to count during inventory. Other than that, it doesn't mean anything.
Sorry for the thread bump guys...
If anyone cares, I think I may have found an answer...
well... At least part of it. This rifle does have a South African connection in some way. On the top receiver ring there is the tiniest of stampings a U and broad arrow... It is about 2mm in length... Very small, used a magnifying glass to actually read it. Impossible to get on my camera phone, I tried. It is also off centered favoring to the left of the center. I'm sure there are other marking for SA... This rifle is covered in all sorts, more than most Enfields I've seen.
Not sure how south africa got ahold of no4 mk2 rifles... I thought there was an arms embargo during the whole apartheid thing... But nothing surprises me when it comes to Enfields... The English literally gave these away to anyone who might have been or may have became an ally at some point.
Could've been a civil guard type rifle for South Africa... If they even had a such thing... considering they had FALs and Portuguese g3s and hkg3s at hand for regular army, I would be surprised if this was used in the rear. As for a no4 mk2 it's was well used when I got it... But no telling how many previous owners there may have been...
---------- Post added at 11:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:34 PM ----------
Just found a SA proof or acceptance mark... On receiver ring. I think I forgot about it and just now rediscovered it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Strangely Brown
All the apartheid crap etc happened decades after republic in 1961, thus direct purchase of arms with no problems, mainly from UK. Used to be the Union of South Africa. Thus many no4 mk2 bought directly from UK in various lots, I would guess about 40 000.
Civil guard? There were various territorial units in South Africa, with no real full time force until much later. Closest was the commandos, which were area based part-time soldiers, available at short notice for short periods for employment in their local area only. They were very effective. Like in the previous centuries just more formalised. They would have had no1 mkIII mainly, possibly with no4 mk2 later.
There are others more knowledgeable about these rifles in South Africa, hopefully along later.
I'm really surprised to hear that the Union of South Africa mark is as small as you describe [2mm].
SA acceptance marks are designed to be seen and are usually unambiguous.
Could you take photos of all the marks you reckon are South African so we can see?