No 4 Magazine markings

G'Day Fellow LE Addicts,

It's been about 20 minutes since my last handling of a Lee Enfield. Though, in fairness, some may argue it "..isn't a [I]real Lee Enfield, as it is a No 4 Mk 1*. But that's just another can o' worms and I'd like to bypass that debate as it seems to get a little :banghead:

Now, where was I?

Right, this is a question of pure interest and curiosity, not a dying collector's need for unachievable 'absolutes!' I know more about the SMLE than the No 4, as is the usual Australian predilection.

Here is a pic of the bottom of a Savage No 4 MK I* magazine:

Attachment 113804

The left (from viewpoint) says: 7 over 45
The right (from viewpoint) says: 7C over 57

Can anyone shed some credible light on what these markings mean? I have my own theory, but I'd like to hear from some much better read scholars in this query.

Thank you for any/all helpful input you may be able to provide. Like I said, this is pure curiosity and not quite answered form earlier threads.

:thup:

Its the serial number. Read it from left to right, rather than left up/down, right up/down

77C4557

All Savage produced No 4's are marked with a C in their serial number, indicating the Chicopee Falls Plant. That magazine is marked to the 774,557th rifle produced by Savage. Probably an early 1944 No4 Mk I*. In late 1944, Savage reached 1,000,000 rifles.

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Originally Posted by smle addict

Its the serial number. Read it from left to right, rather than left up/down, right up/down

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Thanks Addict, that's one hypothesis I had. Happy to hear more!

I recall reading how the serial numbering of No 4 mags was somewhat inconsistent and all over the shop, as it were. I have an old spare in front of me with (same orientation as photo) two rows of "X" out stampings over a neatly engraved (electro pencilled) 15C8551 or Savage's 158,551st rifle produced. The engraved number follows the longitudinal axis of the magazine.

I believe the inconsistant numbering is the norm. I have a Savage that has only the last 4 of the serial stamped along the longitiude as well. And then there are the british rmagazines that have the full serial across the base (left to right). Then add the Indian/Pakistani marked mags along the reinforceing rib on the back of the magazine. Who knows?

Never say never with an enfield, and always say maybe. Fair Dinkum!

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Originally Posted by smle addict

Never say never with an enfield, and always say maybe. Fair Dinkum!

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Excellent quote. My views as stated previously! ;)

Well done, that man!

I suspect Savage didn't number magazines. Any numbers now present were probably added by unit armorers and placed according to individual whim.

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Originally Posted by Parashooter

...added by unit armorers and placed according to individual whim.

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Thanks Parashooter, this is a strong hypothesis from my observations of random outcomes. I don't see much uniformity, which supports your suggestion.

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Originally Posted by Parashooter

added by unit armorers and placed according to individual whim.

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Exactly.