No4 Mk1 Electropencil markings?

[Dalebert]

Curious if these electropencil markings are original to gun or import markings? Normally I would assume they are import markings, but I don't see indication of importers name.

Thought possibly they could just be a wartime (made in 1943) efficiency vs. stamping serial numbers on.

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Information

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[browningautorifle]

It's just how they were marked then. Yes, they're original.

[Beerhunter]

The engraved markings look contemporary with when the rifle was FTR'd at ROF Fazackey. (Rather than when it was made.)

[Dalebert]

Beerhunter

"FTR"? Inspected? Rework?

[Beerhunter]

Beerhunter

"FTR"? Inspected? Rework?

Factory Thorough Repair - a factory rebuild. A search will find umpteen threads on the subject.

[browningautorifle]

contemporary with when the rifle was FTR'd at ROF Fazackey. (Rather than when it was made.)

Yes, pardon me. Just that they're the correct ones for it. Not an after market or dealer marking.

[Seaspriter]

After the No.5 Jungle Carbine program ended in 1947, the Maltby and Fazakerly plants were without work.

The FTR program was started at Fazakerley in 1948 (the "F" preceding FTR) and continued until 1956. It was both a "make work" program to keep one of the British plants functioning and keeping skilled workers employed in a post war economic recovery, and a response to the Soviet saber-rattling (Korea and Berlin Air Lift). The electro-penciling is the standard for method used during the FTR.

What's unique with your rifle is that its missing a date. Most of the FTR rifles will have a date attached as in this picture which indicates it was upgraded in 1956:


Perhaps yours is a very early FTR, before dates were included.

The good news is the an FTR gun was carefully gauged and inspected to ensure the gun retains 80% of life expectancy for all parts. So you have a virtually new, factory reconditioned rifle -- to me the best value in a WWII relic.

[ssj]

could be interesting to look over its metal for any FXX stamps which might indicate if its early or not.

---------- Post added at 02:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:24 PM ----------

FTR'd but the rear sight is a WW2 era one? (pics a bit blurred!) I thought they were removed and a mk1 sight fitted as a matter of course?

[Littlejohn]

Thought possibly they could just be a wartime (made in 1943) efficiency vs. stamping serial numbers on.[

Interesting that the serial number is only 239 different than the SN on my 5/46 Faz No. 5 Mk1. What does the "V" in the SN signify?

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[gsimmons]

It looks like a stamped Mk3 or 4 rear sight which would be correct.