Why Don't We See Any Early No.4 Mk.1s?

[kar98k]

This is just a thought i've had for a while. The No.4. Mk.1 was first issued in 1939 but i've never seen any earlier than 1942. Did they just take a long time producing new weapons or does the Dunkirk evacuation with all the lost weapons have anything to do with it?

And yes, i'm fully aware that, having asked, at least one person is going to post pics of his early No.4 Mk.1.

Information

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[Mk VII]

They didn't make any before 1941 (we can ignore the prewar trials ones). Formal adoption came several years before actual production.

[gsimmons]

Well, you asked
Attachment 55972
I also have a 1941 Longbranch

[Warren]

41 Maltby

[jmoore]

'41 Maltby ((T) sans matching scope.)

I also have a 1941 Longbranch

Last thread I remember on the subject we're somewhere in the 15-16,000 produced (and marked) 1941 for Long Branch. Maltby produced the lion's share of No.4s in 1941 English production.

[Peter Laidler]

Maltby got into full production first because the place was already an engineering town that was servicing the mining industry so the skilled work force were present. That meant that only very few new skilled workers had to be shipped in and housed. Fazakerley followed simply because it is in or near Liverpool.......

[Beerhunter]

Blimey. When did the replace the Maltby engraver with a drunk with a stamp?

[Gingercat]

My 1941 Long Branch with '42 dated, 2 groove barrel.

Regards

Mike

[Surpmil]

My 1941 Long Branch with '42 dated, 2 groove barrel.

Regards

Mike

Have seen two others the same recently. In fact most 1941 LBs seem to have 42 dated barrels.

We've had a number of threads on 1941 Faz rifles, at least one built on a No1 MkVI body, others were built with trials No4 bodies or parts.

Used to have a 41 Maltby "T" in the 11000 SN range. It is a pity they stopped marking so neatly. I think Peter said long ago that it was done to prevent the enemy drawing conclusions from dates and SNs.

[gsimmons]

My 1941 LB also has a '42 dated 2 groove barrel. Serial no is in the 1L range.