"AL" additional serial/inventory number on No. 4 Enfield - got one?

[RangeRover]

Just acquired a 1941 Long Branch No. 4 Mk 1 (details submitted for the database) and want to try get some discussion going on the odd fact about the rifle, which is that it has, stamped into the left side of the butt socket, just below the Long Branch serial number, "AL 6505" (see photo)



There have been some occasional references on different boards about these markings, but I haven't seen a clear explanation of where/why they were added.

I'd like to hear from others with similarly double-marked No. 4s. Any common denominators which might point to what led to the stamping. I'm just curious. The other rifles I've heard about were also Long Branch. Only Long Branch rifles get this treatment?

This rifle is in Canada.

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Indian State Forces as opposed to the main Indian Army.

Also seen on post war Thompson and Sten guns. Alambrahad springs to mind

[tbonesmith]

I just bought one the other day, marked the same, also a Longbranch, 37L.... . '43. Pretty ordinary condition, but sound. It had some other mark on the receiver wall that I've not seen before, someone mentioned the possibility of it being Isreali. Does yours have any other stamps near the writing on the receiver side wall?

[Peter Laidler]

The Thompson Collectors in the US uncovered all of these origins. GF was another for Gujerat Forces

[Warren]

Century Arms in Canada (MANY years ago) brought in a shipment of "AL" marked No.4's and they were from Israel. Also included was a pile of Mk. VI Webley's in .455 also marked with a second AL number. Where they originated is anyone's guess.

[Peter Laidler]

The Israeli ones all seem to have a Star of David. Were they so marked Warren?

[PrinzEugen]

I've seen this one for sale in the UK and wondered what this one might mean too...

[Peter Laidler]

I have a funny feeling that it's the same too. Ironically, I have seen a British Army No4 with it too, partially linished off but still clearly visible. But it probably/presumably came back with Briitish Forces from India in '46/47 when they were winding up the Princely State Forces.

As I said, the Thompson chaps in the US encounter this mark on ex Lend Lease Thompson guns and it's turned up on Sten Guns too.

Further to Warrens comment, does anyone have these or similar initials together with the Star of David

[Warren]

Interestingly enough none of the No.4's or the "Wobblies" had the star of David (or the Magen David) marking. I still have one or two of the AL prefixes and might also have an Israeli Mk.VI Wobblie and will look shortly. I have run into a number of items that were from Israel not marked with the Magen David and I will check with a contact and see when it was applied and under what circumstances. I've been in touch with a contact in Israel in my info quest on the Israeli 32 sniper scopes and the man who designed and made them. His sister is still alive in Tel Aviv and has vivid memories of his telescopic sight escapades.....I hope to have a little monologue written on this shortly.

[PrinzEugen]

I'd certainly be interested to see your AL marked rifles Warren, if you've got any pics. I'll confess to a personal interest - my 't' is an AL.