Which Enfield Maker Stamped their Rifles "AE"

I have an AE marked enfield. I haven't the foggiest idea what maker that is. It is a No 4 that some gunsmith converted to a No. 5 in .22LR.

Any ideas?

I can't finy any reference in the book "The Broad Arrow" by Skennerton, which contains a wealth of various military markings.

Perhaps it's a civilian gunsmith conversion such as ........

AE Clarke and Company
Gun Dealers and Gunsmiths

Contact:Mr. Mike Clarke Phone: 01276 35616

Address:55 London Road Fax: 01276 32345
Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey
GU17 0AB
United Kingdom

Trade Types:
Airguns, Ammunition, Clothing, Optics, Parts and Accessories, Rifles, Shotguns

They make some modern target sights for Enfields and other rifles, as well do conversions.

You might want to check with them and confirm whether it's their mark or not....

Regards,
Badger

I have a Central type fullbore target rifle sight, in the box. Label reads 'AEC' Target Rifle Sight supplied by A E Clarke & Co (Yateley) Ltd. 55 Blackwater Road Camberley, Surrey. Sight is marked A. E. CLARKE & CO (YATELEY) LTD. I doubt that AE would be their mark; AEC perhaps. If they went to the trouble of the full name on a sight, I would expect more that a cryptic AE on a rifle. Perhaps you could post a picture of the mark. Given that the rifle was made up by a gunsmith, it could well be impossible to determine the meaning of the mark. Might be the smith's initials, who knows?

Some thoughts...

Are you sure AE isn;t the serial number prefix? Or possibly the initials of the smith that did the conversion?

AE is above the serial number. I never thought about it being the prefix, but that's a possibility. Where does it normally say the maker on a No. 4 Mk. 1?

I wish I had a pic of it. My digital camera sucks.


It says:

M 1942
AE
12970


Is it Maltby?

It has C-Broad Arrow marks on the receiver and the side of the receiver says No4.Mk1

Yes, it was a 1942 No.4 Mk1 manufactured by Maltby with a serial number of AE12970.

Maltby use aa1xxxx for their serial numbers.
Fazakerley used aa2xxxx for their serial numbers.
BSA used aa3xxxx for their serial numbers.

"aa" means increasing letter combinations, depending upon quantity manufactured.

Regards,
Badger

Ahh it's a code! Thanks for cracking that for me. I'm sure for many it's common knowledge, but I am used to No. 1's where it says the maker in words.

M 1942. The "M" is the makers mark. Royal Ordnance Factory Maltby. The different manufacturers were assigned different serial number blocks.

dont feel bad , we all learn these things a little at a time , its half the fun of the rifles ,
i think someone here , or else ill look for it , but there is at least one site if not a couple that explain/list a lot of this info , and show where to look for it on the rifles ,
i like to try to learn [and even relearn :>} ] something every day ,