RIF 1927 Marking

[chris.gsr]

I wanted to see if someone could help me out. I got this 1912 Enfield from my dad. I have figured out most of the markings through internet searches but one of them continues to elude me. On the left hand side below where the safty would be is a marking. It is an arrow pointing up with RIF and 1927 below it. Any thoughts on what this is?

Information

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[butlersrangers]

chris.gsr: RFI = Rifle Factory Ishapore. Your rifle was probably rebuilt or reconditioned at Ishapore Arsenal (India) in 1927. The arrow is the British Broad Arrow denoting British Government ownership. The original manufacture date and maker should appear on the right side of the action/butt socket.

[Anzac15]

1912, huh? Want to see the rest of it!

[TonyE]

Whilst the stamp does indeed indicate refurbishment at the Ishapore factory, actually the stamp is "RF" and the character in the centre is an "I" surmounted by a Broad Arrow.

This is the ownership mark of the Indian government and was introduced in 1896. The "I" does not stand for "Ishapore" but "India". It can also be found for example between the "K" and "F" on all Indian .303 inch ammunition produced at Kirkee.

REgards
TonyE

[Peter Laidler]

I'm not sure that I would agree with that Tony......... While the I might apply to India in respect of ammunition manufacture - of which I know absolutely nothing about - , I say that with regards to small-arms, then RFI most definately IS Ishapore. I'm not saying this about this RIF 1927 mark in particular as we don't know the other markings but in our old 70's intelligence book of markings, I is Ishapore. Mind you, the booklet has been wrong in the past, but only once......... and that was in respect of the RNG mark

[RJW NZ]

the stamp says RIF not RFI, isn't that stamp so odd as to be unusual? I would have thought that RFI was a one piece stamp ie not possible to mix up the letters, and that RIF is a bit odder than average, something interesting there or not? Could RIF be something quite different? Even the font isn't like other RFI's I've seen.

Can we have some pics that show the right side, and the whole rifle? thanks

[jmoore]

It is rather unusual. If it weren't for the very clear photo, I wouldn't have given it a second glance. But it almost looks like a Kyber pass marking rather than the usual Indian rework mark. I've had a great heap of Indian rifle remnants (swapped a bunch of M60 parts for 'em on one of my stupider days) and that's just weird.

[RCS]

Both these Mark 1** IP rifles were upgraded, the Enfield in 1914 and the BSA in 1917. New barrels were also installed and numbered to the action body, note the rebuild stamp on the other side.

[Brian Dick]

I have a 1917 Ishapore Mk.III* with the same mark dated 1923. The only difference is that the Broad Arrow is centered between the R and F with the I below it. It's the Ishapore FTR mark of the inter war era.

[jmoore]

Both these Mark 1** IP rifles were upgraded, the Enfield in 1914 and the BSA in 1917. New barrels were also installed and numbered to the action body, note the rebuild stamp on the other side.

Those I've seen, or very close. (Broadarrow displacing the "I" downwards.) Chris.gsr's "RIF" is in a straight line. Transitory or just a "goof"?

Nothing to lose sleep over, but I just don't remember seeing another, which is a good thing!