Why is the Serial Number Missing?

[Singer B]

I recently acquired this No4 Mk2 from an estate sale. It is currently undergoing a deep cleaning and conservation process. It appears to be in really good condition. The serial numbers on the wrist, magazine, bolt handle and forward stock area all match. I cannot find the serial number on the receiver. I am beginning to think that possibly this rifle has been refinished and the receiver serial number removed? Your help and guidance is appreciated reference answering my question.

[Roger Payne]

The serial number is there - it's on the butt socket above the M 1942. It's actually a Maltby 1942 No4 Mk1.

[tiriaq]

The serial number on the receiver is right above the date of manufacture.
It is a Mk. I rifle not a Mk. II.

[Singer B]

Thank you! I always thought there was supposed to be a serial number stamped into the left side of the receiver. Is this something specific to the Maltby rifles? My main concern is to list this rifle correctly in my inventory as either "all matching" on "non-matching."

[Peter Laidler]

We were NOT allowed to stamp the numer on the receiver - or body as we call it. Stamping was only on the butt socket. An illegible number on the body....., usually a Fazakerley - was only over engraved.

I know what's going to happen now. What about the T on the telescope rifles............

[Surpmil]

We were NOT allowed to stamp the number on the receiver - or body as we call it. Stamping was only on the butt socket. An illegible number on the body....., usually a Fazakerley - was only over engraved.

I know what's going to happen now. What about the T on the telescope rifles............

Sorry Peter, so you mean ex-FTR rifles where the SN had been re-engraved on the body would be re-engraved over the existing number there even if the original number on the butt socket was still legible?

And non-FTR rifles would be restamped on the butt socket only, having of course no serial number on the body side?

Did the EMERs change in respect to that to your knowledge? (Other than the obvious change when the Fazakerly FTR program began postwar)

[Roger Payne]

You're also not stressing the body lightly engraving it, be they original engraving marks or FTR markings. Thumping it with a hammer is somewhat different!

BSA Shirley did engrave some serials on the body side wall on late rifles. I've seen quite a few 1945 T's like this. If you've got a V or X prefix rifle, have a good look at it........

[Singer B]

We were NOT allowed to stamp the numer on the receiver - or body as we call it. Stamping was only on the butt socket. An illegible number on the body....., usually a Fazakerley - was only over engraved.

I know what's going to happen now. What about the T on the telescope rifles............

Thank you sir! I definitely learned something today!

[Peter Laidler]

We weren''t allowed to stamp body sides for metallurgical reasons. We could and did re-number at unit level, on the socket if the number was illegible. At Field and Base workshops, they were well set-up to renumber body sides with the engraving machines where they had the jigs to easily and quickly clamp the body in the exact position.

As a matter of interest, at the side of each pantograph engraver there was a chart that listed the size of the nunber and position, the ratio etc etc for each weapon, from the Brownings to the Brens. It saved a lot of time