1941 Rofm

Here is a nice one of mine that someone (Amak....I think) made reference to in another thread. Not to hijack that thread, then, I post a few pictures of my ROFM 1941 with the roll stamped sidewall engraving. This method was soon dispensed with, when they hired their blind, one armed stamping apprentice :rofl: (joke alert, joke alert) . Unfortunate that the marking has a bad scrape down one side, but that allowed me to score this for quite a bargain price. It has early features of the button knob. I need to find a replacement backsight to replace the damaged one. One thing I find of interest to me, is the use of the modified No. 1 Mk III magazine. Ian S. makes reference that 100,000 or so of these mags were modified for use in the No. 4. The No. 1 mag is easy to spot as it has sharp edges on the bottom, whereas the No 4 mag has a easy rolled edge.
ATB, all. :beerchug:

Very nice specimen of an early Maltby.

Wow!:D

limpetmine, Very nice! Is it a 2-groove?

A couple of pics of my C prefixed '41 Maltby:

At some point the buttstock was replaced ...

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

ROFM logo ...

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

Bolt body still mostly black ...

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif



Brad

Both very nice rifles----thanks for putting up photos.
-----krinko

Haven't been here for quite sometime anyhow

I'm posting some pics of my ROFM No4T in this thread

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif
https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif
https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

Enfield trader, I must admit an unreasonable affection for Maltbys. Your (T) was a treat...thanks.

Brad

Strange that they dropped such a nice clear marking, unless it was for "security" reasons. The roller stamping later became just "No.4.M.K.I." and then disappeared altogether. There's probably an elderly lady or two in Maltby yet who knows why.

Yes, it is indeed a 2 groove. I find that sort of odd, as there seemed to be a preference for 5 groove barrels.
Limpetmine

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bradtx

limpetmine, Very nice! Is it a 2-groove?

A couple of pics of my C prefixed '41 Maltby:

At some point the buttstock was replaced ...

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

ROFM logo ...

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

Bolt body still mostly black ...

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif



Brad

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limpetmine, In my little quest for anything Maltby, if it's a Maltby barrel, yours is the number four 2-groove '41 Maltby to show up. What is your prefix and is there an A suffix?

TIA,
Brad

The prefix is a D, and I see no suffix. It has a 5 digit serial after the D.
I've not disassembled this one, but would be willing to. I would be forced, then, to give it a bath in kerosene! :yikes: If barrel data would help, that is.
Why would they have 2 groove machines? That is quite odd.

limpetmine, Yours is the earliest without the suffix, so far. Mine is the latest with the suffix, so far. You probably have a Maltby barrel, being later manufacture than mine.

The 2-groove barrel was a step to reduce production time and costs and I've read the idea may've come about from the performance of 2-groove M1903s. By roughly mid '43 Maltby was producing only 2-groove, while Fazakerley seemed around 50-50 (from an old poll I performed). For one reason or another, Maltby was tasked with the 2-groove barrel project rather than Fazakerley.

Other expediance changes that happened earlier than once thought are the Mk.II cocking piece and the Mk.II backsight.

Brad

either a prefix or suffix, just a 5 digit serial number. It has also been FTR'd. Is it suppose to have a prefix?

I [think] the numbering sequence was A12345, B12345, to Z12345, then
AA12345,AB12345,AC12345, etc.
The suffix A would indicate non interchangable parts, were there any. I need to find my reference material, but perhaps someone will chime in.

Enfield Trader, if you are who I think you are, I believe I sold you that Maltby T in a fit of weakness:eek:

Enfield trader, The first 9,999 rifles produced wouldn't have a prefix. While the 'A' suffix originally meant non interchangeable parts, I think during WWII it meant a deviation from the final pattern (Fazakerleys almost always have the suffix).

Brad

above 9,999 it is 17,22X so maybe no prefix due to the FTR.

Hal I believe you did sell it to me. You also helped me out on the No32 MK1 scop going to Canada for repair right?

Enfield trader, Discount the leading 1. That's the manufacturer ID.

Brad

Thanks for the info on my ROFM, I appreciate it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bradtx

Enfield trader, The first 9,999 rifles produced wouldn't have a prefix. While the 'A' suffix originally meant non interchangeable parts, I think during WWII it meant a deviation from the final pattern (Fazakerleys almost always have the suffix).

Brad

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Mine was an ex-No4 MkI(T) in the 11,800 range and it had no "A" suffix either. Perhaps because it was a "T".

Surpmil, Most likely your (T) conformed to the final pattern, which included a 5-groove barrel which was also a (T) rifle requirement.

While three Maltbys make for a poor survey, in this case the A suffix looks pointed to the 2-groove barrel. For one reason or another, Maltby dropped the suffix WRT 2-groove barrel equippage at some point between C and D prefixs.

Brad

PS limpetmine, This has been one of the better threads. Thanks for starting it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Enfield trader

above 9,999 it is 17,22X so maybe no prefix due to the FTR.

Hal I believe you did sell it to me. You also helped me out on the No32 MK1 scop going to Canada for repair right?

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Yep that was me! IIRC you were quiet for awhile d/t health issues. Glad to see you back! Hopefully you are doing better!:dancingbanana::dancingbanana: