Marking

I recently purchased a number 4 Mk2 7.62 rifle. It is in the same style as the L39 rifles but has an unusual serial number on the body and bolt RA/007.M
It still has its original number as well.
Does the number mean anything to anybody?

That's not a factory S/N. Might be a unit level inventory number. Military's do all kinds of really daft stuff. May not be military at all though.

It's certainly been neatly done. The font looks rather Germanic to me.

And definitely not military - or certainly not UK military. I agree with DRP that it's a Germanic font

The font appears to be the typical ISO font used for engineering drawings. It could have been applied to metal with a data plate engraving machine, but that is speculation.

Who applied it, and why is anyone's guess.

I wonder if it may have been a school or university cadet, or club rifle.

Could it be something to do with the Rhodesia? Didn't they mark some of their rifles with a Z letter- number number type serial?

Any Johnny foreigner proof marks on it?

Not by chance a Remington Arms bought in rifle to trial, as RA is always there leader?

......or Raufoss Ammunition factory of Norway.......??

We're coming round in a complete circle............. Rhodesia Army....... almost back to the dreaded ZF, or Zimbabwe Forces as the dealers like to tell us!

:lol: