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I have recently acquired a No4 Mk1 ROF (F) date 11/43 rifle, it also has a No4 Mk1 F (FTR) 48 date on it. The serial number is JB20206A and it is the "A" suffix that I can find no explanation for on a No4 Mk1 rifle.
The engraving is not well done and can only been seen once highlighted and in good light but the "B" at the beginning of the serial number is definitely correct and not an "8".
I had a good close look at the enlarged versions of your pics and the "B" on the wrist after the J is an 8 and even the one on the receiver appears to look like a "B" it is an 8, that is how it appears to me.
Even dating it as a 1943 receiver the J prefix does not appear as a singular in the section of Stratton's book 1943 receiver he lists as ROF - (F) HA, HB, HC, KA, KB, ROF (M) 1943 AG, AK, AP, AQ, BB, BD, BG, BH, BL.
(Pages 166 & 167 Volume 2, 2nd Ed, Revised, Lee Enfield No. 4 and No. 5 Rifles By Charles R Stratton)
Whilst the book is probably not the bible of the No.4's one can never say never in the lineage of these rifles I'm bookmarking the thread to see how the investigation goes.
Please do not think I am trying to be rude, just stating what I observe with the pictures you supplied.
The rifle is a Fazakerley. S.N. is: JB20206.
The suffix A is for non-interchangeable parts.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Buccaneer
The A suffix was a notice to an Armourer in the field that 'something was not normal' with the rifle.
This typically meant that for some reason it had not been able to assemble it using standard components so the Armourer should be aware that he might need special (non-standard) parts to reassemble it.
It could be something as simple as an oversized hole drilled by mistake, which then meant it had to be tapped 'oversize' so a larger bolt / screw had to be used. or it could be something more severe with incorrect dimension bolt or bolt head or similar. You will never know until you take it apart and cannot re-assemble it with standard parts.
Fazakerley build quality is (was) appalling. I don't think it would be unreasonable to say that quite a high percentage of their rifles have the A-suffix.
The rifle went to the range today having had a NOS set of woodwork fitted as it came with the dreaded "sportorised forend & butt" I'm pleased to say that it shot very well and whatever the suffix A in the serial number stood for it was not apparent in either the rebuild or the shooting. Happy days....
I am inclined to think all their rifles around that period had the A suffix. I dont see it as of much significance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mk VII
I think their QC was so poor they maybe decided to put it on every rifle anyway so as to 'cover all bases'. Unless the 'operator' told the QC they'd done something wrong they'd probably never have picked it up.