educate me on the no 5

The country of origin stamp is an American government requirement thanks to its Gun Control Act of 1968. I've been told that Act was the was a direct consequence of the JFK asassination; Kennedy having been shot with an imported WWII Italian surplus army sniper Carcano rifle.

Yup. Uncel sam has some stupid ideas and some not so stupid ideas ( not that i can think of one off hand ). Here are some better daylight pictures.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...101_2184-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...101_2185-1.jpg

You might find it goes back to the 1930 Tariff Act: (a) Marking of articles
Except as hereinafter provided, every article of foreign origin (or its container, as provided in subsection (b) hereof) imported into the United States shall be marked in a conspicuous place as legibly, indelibly, and permanently as the nature of the article (or container) will permit in such manner as to indicate to an ultimate purchaser in the United States the English name of the country of origin of the article.

It just got worse after 1968 with the addition of the importer required. Some of us U.S. collectors put a little premium on just 'England' as demonstrating a pre 68 import. Cheers, Don

So something without the ENGLAND is a pre 1968 import - correct?

Does this mark and the later dealer marking affect values in any way?

Just an 'ENGLAND' would be pre 68, but in compliance with the Tariff Act of 1930. Importer stamps, post 1968. Cheers, Don

The "England" stamp is a country of origin stamp that was applied according to US law prior to the Gun Control Act of 1968. I'm not sure if the stamp was applied in England before export or here in the USA upon arrival. Post US GCA 1968 import markings include the country of origin, caliber, and abbreviated company name of the importer.

Thanks Brian, hoping you'd wake up in the Colony and clarify that! Cheers, Don

It's interesting because you can date a rifle as to when it came into the US. Does the marking affect it's value BDL?

Thanks for the info

Im going to cry. Lawrance Ordnance cant ship parts firearms parts out of the country. Stupid goverment laws, but what can you do. settle for copies. Does anyother source exist for original front sights. It's the little things that make you beat your head aginst the wall. :sos: :banghead:

When you get around to shooting it, wearing ear protection is a must. Those puppies have a real bark!