No 4 Mk I Bolt

Hello,
Here is a 1941 dated No 4 Mk I ROFM. It has completely matching serial numbers. I suspect that while the Bolt Serial numbers match the gun that it is perhaps a replacement. The rifle has its original finish and in great shape with No FTR markings. Nor does it have any import marks, just the usual British export marks. Could someone please help me identify the maker of this bolt? It has these markings are in the channel on the bolt and these in the top.https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...8b053e06-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...bfe3e48d-1.jpg

3N = Allied Engineers Burnley.

Hi,
There are no "usual British export marks".
Can you show picture of the marks you mention?

I assume he means proof house markings London/Birmingham?

Or SS markings?

Pictures of markings on end of barrel and on receiver. https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...f94d0ef1-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7faa65d3-1.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Retdawg3

Pictures of markings on end of barrel and on receiver. https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...f94d0ef1-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7faa65d3-1.jpg

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England does not mark firearms for export.

The 'England' is a pre 1968 American IMPORT marking.
The muzzle markings are British civilian proof marks which are required before it can be sold onto the civilian UK market.

Yep, London proof house markings at the muzzle and receiver ring.

To help ascertain if the bolt is a replacement might I suggest you post a photo for us showing the serial number on the rear face of the bolt handle? I know you say it is matching to the rifle, but if the bolt body has been changed it may well be easy for experienced forummers to tell if it is the original or a later replacement. If you could also clarify (or post a suitable photo) if the bolt handle is perfectly spherical, or if it has a flat on it, or if it has been bored out to lighten it; this again might help to decide the matter.

I will have to get a picture of it. However, it appears to have been ground in the back and it is now patina’d to the rest of the rifle. That is why I suspected that it is a replacement bolt. The bolt handle has not been drilled out.

Thanks. I can't tell from your earlier photo, but there looks like there might be a flat on the tip of the bolt handle knob. This could be consistent with an original bolt body (though of course doesn't mean that it IS the original bolt body). If the bolt handle knob is perfectly round it is likely to be a post WW2 Faz replacement.

More bolt pics https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...cdb142ab-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3f00cc10-1.jpg

The flat on the bolt handle knob could be consistent with wartime ROFM manufacture, but as you indicated it clearly has been linished & renumbered. The size & font don't look at all wartime either, at least, not IMHO. Thanks for taking the trouble to post the pictures.