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Cleaned up a Maltby No 4 dated 1942. All parts match and no import mark. The right side of the stock has the letters “FR” stamped in 1/2 inch letters. Has anyone ever seen this marking? Doubt it means France. Just taking a shot in the dark. Thanks. Jim
"Factory Repair" - usually India or Pakistan
A standard UK marking - BUT - brand new butts have been seen (primarily in the USA) with the FR marking and unsubstantiated supposition is that it was either a 'contract' marking or a 'supplier / manufacturers' mark.
From :
R.E.M.E. CENTRAL INSPECTORATE
INSPECTION STANDARDS PART 3
(PROVISIONAL)
"APPLICATION OF GAUGES AND EXAMINATION OF SMALL ARMS AND MACHINE GUNS"
"FR" stamped wood and rifles appears to have nothing to do with British/Commonwealth military markings. The military mark is typically stamped into the metal of the receiver; the mystery "FR" is painted and/or stamped into unfitted wood components.
The same "FR" appears on unused wood and original condition rifles - i.e. not ones that appear to be repaired in any way.
Significantly, the "FR" mark also commonly appears on the dark wood sets that are commonly identified as the type that were used to build Pakistani/POF rifles. I have about 100+ "FR" marked items in my stock - these are all unused forends, hand guards and butts.
(Apologies that i can't post pictures. My usual picture hosting service switched off).
My own supposition is that "FR" is a trade inspection/property mark that is somehow connected to the sales of No4 rifles, parts and machinery for a commercial contract - quite possibly the transfer of BSA's plant to Pakistan. I'm guessing that much of this material - wood sets and complete rifles - did not get delivered because of the arms embargoes on India/Pakistan and other countries at the time. Hence why so many "FR" marked items appeared on the surplus market.