nota smle per se: but a 22 with all the British markings

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12-09-2009, 10:32 AM
Pelago

nota smle per se: but a 22 with all the British markings

i have a winchester model 67 serial number makes it a mid 30's rifle, it has.............

a very large arrow pointing up on the stock
a "BNP" under a crown on the receiver
8 tons per (a box shaped figure) on ther receiver next to the crown

I was told when i received this fine little rifle that it was sent to UK after dunkirk to aid in training troops. i have absolutely no way to prove or disprove this (not really trying to at this time) but presenting it for comments, i got this when i was 12 and have had it ever since, and i plan on giving it to grandson some day....

i terrorized rabbits and squirrels with it for many many years and filled more than one stew pot with meat in the early fifties in the far far wilds of western cook county (yeah there were still farms in cook county in 1950, and my dad and his friends all hunted pheasants on local farms, i had a 410 and always missed, but then dad said
take the 22 and get some rabbits....)

but anyway this is a neat and still pristine 22 and i wonder if it actually trained troops to fight in WWII
regards
12-09-2009, 12:07 PM
Mk VII

It might have done. The markings in themselves prove nothing more than that it passed through the British commercial gun trade at some point.
12-09-2009, 01:44 PM
Badger

Marks often found on Enfield rifles that have been exported for sale from the UK. ;)

"BNP" ".303" "2.22" on barrel and under that is either "18.5 or 18+ or 184 TONS" .... means that the rifle was tested for safety by Birmingham Proof House showing caliber and chamber length. As required by British law, any firearm offered for commercial sale (regardless of military proofing) has to undergo a pressure test. Passed firearms were stamped, usually on the barrel and receiver.

"NP" was the Birmingham Nitro Proof between 1912 and 1954 and "BNP" is the Birmingham Nitro Proof after 1954

"England" is sometimes seen on Enfield rifles and it's the British private export mark pre-1968

Hope this helps somewhat... :)

Regards.
Badger
12-09-2009, 02:20 PM
Peter Laidler

If it had been issued to train British troops then it will have in all/every liklehood have been inspected at the big Ordnance Depot at Woolwich. Once it'd been through Woolwich, and approved, it'll be stamped with a very small letter W within a stylised crown. This is a feature of Thompson guns, non standard Colt and SW pistols and the little Mossberg .22" rifles etc etc

A picture of this little W-Crown logo has appeared on this forum in the past if anyone with a bit of computer skill could repeat it
12-09-2009, 07:26 PM
breakeyp

Peter I have yet to find a crown W on any of the .22 rifles I own or have examined over the years. Won't say they don't exist but I have yet to see one. I do have pre war Remington and Winchester .22s with period commerical proofs that later had added broad arrows indicating they were taken into military use. Skennerton in his WWII contract book mentions .22 rifles some being taken in from the trade (and already proofed) and some direct from the US and Enfield inspected (I have one or two that way) and later commercial proofed when released in the 1960's. None has done any good investigations on the .22s. I was always going to and may do so yet when the mood strikes. My current hangup is good pictures. I have a new system and have started to play with it. You all may be subjected to pictures as I shake out the system.
12-09-2009, 07:57 PM
Badger

Quote:

Originally Posted by breakeyp

My current hangup is good pictures. I have a new system and have started to play with it. You all may be subjected to pictures as I shake out the system.

Go for it ... :super:

Have loved the ones you've posted so far ... ;)

Regards,
Badger
12-09-2009, 07:58 PM
Steve H. in N.Y.

"You all may be subjected to pictures as I shake out the system."

Bring 'em on! Always interested in pics of your stuff.
12-10-2009, 07:49 AM
Beerhunter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger

"NP" was the Birmingham Nitro Proof

Not necessarily. NP with a crown is Birmingham. NP with an armoured arm holding a seax or scimitar (I don't know which it meant to be) is London.
12-10-2009, 10:30 AM
Peter Laidler

We have a little Mossberg with the CrowenW mark plus the usual crop of S&W's and a Thompson. However, what I say is only based on my observations and limited knowledge.

The little US Property marked Mossbergs were used well into the 7o's by Cadet Forces and some, probably still are
12-11-2009, 08:14 AM
Mk VII

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

A picture of this little W-Crown logo has appeared on this forum in the past if anyone with a bit of computer skill could repeat it

'Twas I.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...standard-4.jpg
12-11-2009, 10:24 AM
Peter Laidler

That's it! The little W within a Crown is the Woolwich Small Arms inspectorate which approved the imported weaponry and approved it.

It doesn't appear on the P14's and No4's of course because they were made for us. I'm just presuming this...... as opposed to being an off-the-shelf purchase.