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Legacy Member
NO.5 MK.1 - Question about barrel markings
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08-22-2020 12:53 AM
# ADS
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Legacy Member

Originally Posted by
Schluts
What I'm not sure of is, the barrel doesn't have any of the typical markings on it like I have seen on other Enfields. For example: BP 303 2.22" 18.5tons is a mark I have on my other Lee enfield NO.4 MK1, along with ENGLAND stamped on it.
The BNP 303 etc etc markings are the UK Civilian Proof markings that it had to have before it could be sold into the UK Civilian gun-trade. If it doesn't have them, it would have been sold directly from the MOD surplus sales to the US ans not into the UK Civilian market first.
The "England
" marking is a Pre 1968 import (to the USA
) mark. Earlier and later years had different import marks. Yours may have the Importers initials and address (for example) which was a post '68 requirement.
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
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Legacy Member

Originally Posted by
Alan de Enfield
If it doesn't have them, it would have been sold directly from the MOD surplus sales to the US ans not into the
UK
Civilian market first.
Or more likely, imported to the USA
from which ever ex-colonial state sold them, that had them in store from when the MOD donated them/left them as surplus to our requirements many decades earlier.
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Advisory Panel
The parkerizing would make me think this is an after service refinish or a late refinish. The butt should be marked with an "L" on the heel right at the butt plate screw if it's a long. Normally they wouldn't be, they were all shorter... 1329 IS the serial number on the receiver and bolt handle. Right there on the socket...
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Legacy Member
1329 IS the serial number on the receiver and bolt handle. Right there on the socket...
I think he was asking about the lack of the serial number on the barrel.....? Although, it would have been more helpful to have actually posted a photo of the barrel with the other photos!
As he mentioned it's otherwise matching numbers, so he had already spotted the serial numbers on the receiver and bolt handle?
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Thank You to GeeRam For This Useful Post:
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Legacy Member
Thanks for the quick responses. I forgot to add the most pertinent photo regarding my question! 
I am aware of the the matching numbers on all the usual spots, what I wanted to clear up was the lack of barrel markings. Seems like this rifle was sold before import markings were mandatory? Pre-1968? I should state that I live Canada
, maybe that has something to do with no export markings?
Also, I guess what I thought was an L on the stock is really just a proof mark of some sort.
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Legacy Member

Originally Posted by
Schluts
Also, I guess what I thought was an L on the stock is really just a proof mark of some sort.
My No.5 has a long butt, and this is what you'd be seeing with the 'L' stamped on the top side of the butt near the end.
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Legacy Member
The "England
" stamp would be required for US imports prior to 1968. I think you are correct in that guns sold in Canada
don't need the import markings.
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Legacy Member

Originally Posted by
Schluts
I should state that I live
Canada
, maybe that has something to do with no export markings?
England
(UK) does not mark any firearm with an EXPORT mark.
It is quite normal for a country to have 'IMPORT' marks denoting the country of origin.
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
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