No 4 forend markings

[tbonesmith]

Is it uncommon for the month and year of manufacture to be stamped along side the serial number on the fore end of a No 4? Some one told me it is uncommon to have the date there, and I just notice that there it is on a 1942 Fazackerley No 4 Mk1 I'm getting rid of. Any thing special there?

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[Amatikulu]

I hadn't noticed the month and year on the forestocks of No.4's until Century Arms in the USA brought a large load of Lee Enfields from Turkey when they sold off their surplus. Since then, I have seen about ten No.4's of British origin, with the month and year stamped by the serial number on the forestock.

I don't think it's anything special other than it's another thing for us to recognize and try and find out the significance.

I am speculating now that the month/year was either 1. for a contract or 2. it was the standard practice and those without have had their stocks changed at some point.

Pure speculation on my part