Printable View
help to identify this rifle there are no markings on breach. i do find M47 under that 1943 under that AH5867 and under that iac alex va
there is the letter L stamped on top butt
on bottom of butt BH
also U.K. 303 RR11
on front sling S126
and thanks all we find no NO4 or anything else we do see M1 on barrel
thats for you help
cmij51
ShirleyQuote:
Originally Posted by cmij51
ImporterQuote:
Originally Posted by cmij51
Long buttstockQuote:
Originally Posted by cmij51
Pics would do far more for us.
The M47 identifies who made your rifle. This code was allocated to BSA (Birmingham Small Arms Ltd) during WW2, & all No4 rifles were produced at their Shirley Solihull plant. The S126 will be the code allocated to the manufacturer of the band (the list of manufacturers is in Skennerton's books but I can't remember who S126 was off the top of my head - no doubt someone will chip in). The 1943 is the date of manufacture. The L on the butt will probably indicate that the rifle is fitted with a long butt.
what is odd is there are no makings on the breach no (no4 or mk ) markings
The rifle has been refurbished & the markings on the receiver side wall were probably lost then - they were only marked very shallowly anyway. If you look at your second photo you can see what looks like a linish line running along the side of the receiver mid way between the ejector screw & the top of the charger bridge. Also, a 1943 rifle would have been blued as it left the factory, & yours has been given the later replacement 'suncorite 259' black paint finish. All part of its history & nothing to worry about...... In fact, the linishing was probably done at the same time that the charger bridge insert was permanently locked into position with a gob of weld. The weld was no doubt dressed down smooth, & at the same time resulted in the removing the body markings. The rifle would then have been bead blasted, parkerised (phosphated) & then spray painted with the suncorite.
Hope this helps.
is that why there are no numbers on the breach?
If you mean the receiver side wall (the flat area as shown in your second photo.), yes, that's correct.