Help identifying this No.4 Mk.2 proof mark

[mmasher]

So I picked up a No.4 Mk.2 this weekend, and I took the lower handguard off to look at the markings tonight, and I found this:



So I am guessing the "F53" is the manufacturer (Fazakerly), and the year it was made (1953), but what is the proof mark above it? I went through my Skennerton book and I could not find a damned thing about it. You guys have any idea?

I also have no date as to what the original year of manufacture was, but it was FTR'd in 1956. Serial is A81XX.

I appreciate the help.

Information

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[SpikeDD]

Any chance of a pic? Does it say F.T.R. 1956 or B 56 or F 56 FTR ?

[ssj]

F53 is indeed Faz and 1953 for that specific part. If you look around a Mk2 gun most parts should have that on them. eg receiver rhs underneath. Trigger guard LHS. Front band middle lhs or rhs depending on if its on backwards or not. Bolt handle probably has a F53 as well.

Though A81XX may or may not be a Mk2 it maybe a m1/2, we really need to see pictures, a mk2 made in 1953 and FTR'd in 1956 makes no sense, too short a time frame. It is more likely to be a No4 mk1 upgraded to a 1/2 and if in good nick still a great find. Though I have seen 2 or 3 Axxxx marked no4s here in NZ that were mk2s ie not stamped PF or UF.

[mmasher]

Here's a pic. I know it's not a very good pic that's severely oversaturated, but I don't have good light, and the flash was the only way to get the markings. It clearly says "Mk.2," if it was a Mk.1/2 or a 1/3, I would have specified.

It does say "F 56 FTR."

[Mk VII]

I had A15579 marked F57 FTR.

[ssj]

Can you do a picture of the wrist?

and indeed the rest of the gun?

There are at least 2 possibilities, its a mis-marked 1/2 or 1/3, FTR'd in 56 it really is an early? mk2 ftr'd in 56.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

I'm confused. Is there a question about the rifle designation or about a mark on the barrel beneath the handguard?

[mmasher]

Right side:

Left side:

Whole gun:

[mmasher]

More about the mark above the barrel mfg date, but I also asked about potential year of manufacture.

[ssj]

Hi,

Enfields were not always correctly marked, hence the request for pictures, your one does indeed look like a mk2 to me.

If you remove the wood forestock and look under the RHS for a small Fxx that will say when the receiver was manufactured. There will or should be a similar Fxx mark on the bolt, but the bolt could have been replaced. The Fxx will say the receiver was made in that year and then it got put into storage until made into a complete rifle when its final number is added So F49 and FTR56 is quite possible.



---------- Post added at 03:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:16 PM ----------

I see no picture of the mark on the barrel?