1944 FTR'd, but when was it first built? No cut-off...Original maker?Tx

[Garandrew]

Information

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[jmoore]

New 1944! "Dispersal Rifle"

Often utilized whatever parts were on hand, so a mixture of parts new and used is OK. S/Ns should match.

[Alan de Enfield]

Not wanting to open the "old can o'worms" but the ZF marking isnt good news.

[bouletbill]

Do you shoot it ? Seems to have that notorious ZF on the butt which puts a question mark over its safety .

Alan , you beat me to it , but I still wonder why , if that mark sent it back to the factory for repair or scrapping, how come they were not scrapped ? If they were released back into service , the problem should have been fixed . shouldn't it ?

Is it not possible that the cursed ZF was painted on prior to the '44 FTR ?

PS , you've opened it , the worms are out again .

[Garandrew]

I am a collector, not shooter..why would they mark it so? Considered obsolete, or unsafe?

[Badger]

I am a collector, not shooter..why would they mark it so? Considered obsolete, or unsafe?

Here's a few links to other threads where Peter and others have discussed the pitfalls of DP and ZF marked rifles ...

ZF marking on Enfields?

DP Stock Marks Query

DP Rifles

Drill Purpose Rifle L59A1 UK Legal Status

Please read them all thoroughly before you go and shoot it ...

Regards,
Doug

[xa-coupe]

What I don't get is why on the butt which is so easy to replace? It would also be easy to acquire a ZF marked butt and put it on a perfectly good rifle in need of a butt and not knowing any better. I digress though.
That particular rifle looks to be in good condition. If you are a collector rather than a shooter there will be many hours of fondling left in it.

[jmoore]

It's NOT a '44 FTR. The receiver and barrel were made in 1944! Some of the other parts may not be new, but that's not unusual for these rifles. The "ZF" mark should relegate it to non-shooting status. (Skimmed right over that important photo earlier, sorry!) Whatever is wrong, it was deemed beyond any local repair. That means you can't fix it!!! IF it had been fixed, there would be no "ZF"! Probably retired and sold off rather than going through the expense of rebuilding. However, search Captain Laidler's posts on the subject, I've been picking up all this info from him and other more knowledgeable folk than I.

[Garandrew]

I think they used a ZF marked stock in 1944 on a new 1944 Dispersal rifle. Note part of the F has been struck. Maybe Im wrong, but is it still collectable?
Andy

[Amatikulu]

That's a recycled receiver based on the way the right butt socket has been ground and stamped with the Royal Cipher. The shape of the front receiver ring also suggests grinding to remove old marks.