Peculiar Enfield #4

[gblacksmith]

I have a #4 Enfield with:

A walnut, Longbranch-marked finger grooved stock.
Steel Buttplate
Green phosphate or park finish
A cnMkIII backsight
receiver bears NO markings re origin except for Century AI import mark
Serial # is: NB294xx
Has what appears to be an excellent bore, but a #3 bolt head

I have never seen another #4 like this one. I'm guessing it is some kind of war reserve weapon, biyt I have never seen one with the manufacturing origin missing from the left side of receiver. Is there anyone with knowledge of this configuration?

Information

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[Thunderbox]

Sounds like a Fazakerley rifles thats been FTR'd (possibly the green park was part of the FTR - Faz itself used this on some refurbished rifles). Fazakerley original marks were faint, are were easily obscured by a refinish. If the Long Branch marks on on all the wood, then the rifle has probably been reclothed by a private owner. You may find, however, that the forend and butt are original UK walnut.

[jmoore]

My reply as copied off the Restorers' Corner forum:

"A No.4 Mk.2?

There should be inspectors' marks under the wood.

If so, it may be a Fazackerly receiver that was sold off after production ended and assembled using whatever parts that were available by entities unknown. I started a thread some time back on the subject.

If it's a No.4 Mk.I*, then it's likely a Canadian replacement receiver body. But I think most of those have the mfg's markings on the side wall.

If it's a No.4 Mk.I, then I've no idea beyond that it's likely had the markings scrubbed off and then refinished.

A few more details or photos would help greatly!"

Thunderbox's comments fit right in as well, being a rather more literate version of the above last option than mine!


ETA: per Captain Laidler's post:

Options made clearer:

1. No.4 Mk.I -likely refinshed
2. No.4 Mk.I*- possibly a Canadian replacement receiver or "lunchbox special"
3. No.4 Mk.2- possibly a receiver left over from the last of the Fazackerly production
4. something else!

[Peter Laidler]

To be fair, he hasn't actually said what mark/type of rifle it is. It'd narrow it right down if you did Blackie!

[Badger]

I have never seen another #4 like this one. I'm guessing it is some kind of war reserve weapon, biyt I have never seen one with the manufacturing origin missing from the left side of receiver. Is there anyone with knowledge of this configuration?

Pics would help a lot ..

Regards,
Doug

[gblacksmith]

Fellows:

Further examination of the weapon has revealed:

1. "CEW" and broad arrow stamped on forwrd barrel band.
2. Longbranch inspectors marks on bolt head, bolt release plunger and round-topped safety lever
3. LB inspector mark over 55 on walnut stock, underside of wrist.
4. "W" stamp on walnut stock, adjacent trigger guard.
5. Magazine follower has stamped "B" in a circle
6. Bolt cocking piece has "N.67MKII" stamped on it
7. Steel buttplate has replaced an earlier model that wrapped around stock comb, lik eolder enfields. Piece of walnut has been expertly spliced in on stock comb, where larger butt plate had ridden.
8. I bought the gun in 1988 or 89 as shooter for 90.00 USD out the door. Gray/Green finish was mint and applied to all exposed metal. Could this weapon have been refurbed and intended for issue to Canadian entities such as the "Canadian Rangers", etc. I have not seen another no. 4 like this one.

[Peter Laidler]

Jeeeeees Blackie, these odds and sods don't tell the forum anything except who made the bits! A photo or the Mark/type of rifle is all that we need! So far, it could be Canadian, British or American......... see what I mean!