1940 Savage no. 4 mk1?

Hello,

I know a gun store owner that recently had someone walk in to his store and offer him a No. 4 Mk. 1 Enfield. He does not really like or know foreign guns, he likes U.S. guns more, but since the Enfield said "U.S. Property" on the side, he bought it for his private collection. I looked at it very briefly and saw that it was Savage made in 1940.

Here is my question: Is it a possibility that Savage made these in 1940? I have done a lot of research and have come up with only the information that a Savage 1941 no 4 mk1 is early, and more valuable than a mk1*, therefore a 1940 example would be very early on, would it not? Throughout my research I did not find one from 1940, so naturally I did not find a price. Any ideas on a ballpark price? Sorry, I cannot say if parts were all S marked and/or matching, like I said, it was only a very brief look.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
Jim

Skennerton says that the Chicopee rifles were approved for production on June 14th, 1941. I have never seen a 1940 dated Savage.

Did the serial number on the wrist look anything like this?

This is on a 1942 dated No.4Mk1 - the example you describe would have to be a 0C rifle (unless it's really a No.1... :confused:)

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1050013S-1.jpg

The first rifle produced was proofed and fired on July 25th, 1941. Rifle 0C1 (Rifle #1) is a 1941 dated rifle and belongs to a member of this forum, so a 1940 dated Savage would be very unusual. Any chance you can get some pictures and post them?

I'll try to get some pictures and post them, but I can't say for sure when that'll happen. The dealer lives around 45 minutes away, so I don't know If I'll make that drive tomorrow just for pictures. When I go up there next, I'll be sure to bring the camera and take a closer look. I thought I read that no. 4's were offically adopted in 1941 but made and issued as early as 1939, but I can't back that up as solid information and I trust your information more...thanks for the input so far.

When I do go to take photos, are there any particular spots besides serial numbers and the wrist and receiver markings you would want to see?

If it's for sure 1940 then we demand to see everything:)

Attachment 27255

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Originally Posted by clarkmilitaria

When I do go to take photos, are there any particular spots besides serial numbers and the wrist and receiver markings you would want to see?

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I would want to see the markings on the left side receiver and butt socket. The markings on the 1941-42 MkI's look like the attached pics.

Here's what I found: "By the late 1930s the need for new rifles grew, and the Rifle, No. 4 Mk I was first issued in 1939 but not officially adopted until 1941." The citation for this is:
Skennerton (1994, 2), p.5
I got it from wikipedia...I know a lot of people say that it is not reliable, but if that info really comes from Skennerton's book I would assume it is accurate. Does anyone have that book to reference it?
Lee-Enfield - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
under Rifle no. 4, first sentence.

Per Skennerton's "The Lee Enfield" (2007), pg. 310..."The first Stevens Savage .303 No,4 Mk1 rifle was test fired on Friday, July 25th 1941 at the Chicopee Falls plant..."