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Ok Gents, I picked up this Inglis HP before the door shut on May the 2nd.
I'm looking for some one to question it and make comments. I have may views and just want to see what others think. I've disguised some detail not to divert attention but to try and prevent any digressing at an early stage.
Ill attach photos and await opinions.
I will say that it has a clear ED 63 FTR marking and no frame serial number. That will get some comments I'm sure.
I,ve no comments on that particular example, but I like them, have shot a few and I was looking for one to back engineer some time back to make a UK legal .22 LBP....... but with the price of the 1911 GSG's etc dropping it seemed pointless, but thought about an other avenue that would or may be of interest to some..........
yep got one all matching, with stock
Any thoughts on how it has no serial number on the frame? And having undergone FTR at Enfield without one?
It would be a replacement frame though, right? It should have had a slot for the stock originally?
I can't vouch for how things were done at Inglis or Enfield in the 40s to 60s but currently the frame is the master component and is the master serial. If a frame required replacement then I would expect the gun to be scrapped and parts salvaged rather than put a new frame on it.
I don't think Enfield would allow a pistol to leave the factory after FTR without a serial, even if it arrived without one. I believe this may be a xTxxx serial No2 frame that has had the number very carefully removed. There is a very shallow depression only visible when viewed with a rule against the frame (in the red box in the photo). The Blue box highlights where I'd expect the number to have been but it is straight. The frame has no slot in the grip for the stock.
A replacement or new frame was never available as a spare part in the UK. Not even at Enfield/factory/Base workshop level. It was what we call the 'master component'. I realise that the numbers were engraved quite deeply and that would preclude filing or milling out - but mig or tig welding over would be simplicity itself and distortion free. Making good afterwards, bead blasting, phosphate and paint is your answer I feel. But take it from me, an Army pistol without the master number would be.......... Well, it wouldn't get past the door!
Have you used a micrometer along it against a known service one?
Here in Canada there are quite a few Inglis HP's with no serial # on the frame. We quaintly call them lunchbox specials.
I would have gone with the lunchbox theory however the FTR 63 marking proves to me (and as confirmed by others) that this frame would have had a serial number which has been removed.
When I can, I will post photos of the slide as that looks to be unmolested but not from this frame. I'm interested in opinions on it which is why I wanted to treat the 2 parts separately.
Just a thought, wasn't there some offical regulation regarding the ban on sales of L9A1 (one would also assume this encompasses British issue Ingles) and Faz L2A3 Sterlings??
Was this at least a partial effort to disguise its Identity I wonder?