Butt Stock Length Stamps

[J-ROD]

Out of all the rifles produced, was there a ratio of Long / Short butt stocks to regular stocks?

I’m looking at a No4 Mk2 that has an “L” stamped on the butt stock, just in front of the butt plate. I’ve never seen these stamps before but I’m not super knowledgeable in this area.

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[Alan de Enfield]

Out of all the rifles produced, was there a ratio of Long / Short butt stocks to regular stocks?

I’m looking at a No4 Mk2 that has an “L” stamped on the butt stock, just in front of the butt plate. I’ve never seen these stamps before but I’m not super knowledgeable in this area.

No idea what the Ratio was, but

B = Bantam length (More commonly seen on the No1 Mk3 rifles than the No4)
S = Short length
N = Normal length (but un-marked meant Normal length as well)
L = Long length

Each length was 1/2" longer than the previous.

[GeeRam]

Out of all the rifles produced, was there a ratio of Long / Short butt stocks to regular stocks?

I've seen it reported that only about 10% of butt production was anything other than regular 'normal' length (so 10% are split between B,S & L butts, although as Alan says, B marked No.4 might be the rarest. I've seen S and L marked No.4 and No.5 butts, never a B marked one)

[browningautorifle]

B marked No.4 might be the rarest

We encountered a number of these here at one point, they were of course brand new. Butt only, no rifle, just replacements. That was why we figured they were still around, too short for anyone.

[Brian Dick]

I still have a part case full of them. All nos Long Branch mfg., in the wrappers and gorgeous black walnut. Of the hundreds of No.4 rifles I've had through here, I can't remember seeing but one or two installed.

[Ovidio]

Tell me that... I had to learn what a Bantam is only here...
Love this place!

[J-ROD]

Just to clarify, I was told that this rifle is unfired, recently came out of the mummy wrap with the long butt stock installed, not added afterwards. Is this customary?

Thanks for all your thoughts?

[Alan de Enfield]

I was told that this rifle is unfired,

That is certainly an untruth.

It was fired with an 'over pressure' proof round, and it was also fired at the 100 foot target.


For the No 4 Rifle,
All rifles were tested for accuracy by the Small Arms Inspection Department at 100ft, ten per cent of all rifles were then fired at 200 yds when six of seven shots had to fall in a rectangle 6in x 6in , the point of mean impact having to be within 3 inches of the point of aim in any direction. Ten per cent of rifles fired at 200 yds were again fired at 600 yds when 6 out of seven shots had to be in a rectangle 18 inches x 18 inches the permissible deviation of point of mean impact being 9 inches up or down, or left or right. Two per cent of rifles were fired from the shoulder, ten rounds being fed into the magazine by charger and fired rapid to test “feeding up” and ejection. After these tests the barrel was inspected to ensure that there was no expansion in the bore or chamber and that it shaded correctly from end to end. (Was not bent)

[browningautorifle]

came out of the mummy wrap with the long butt stock installed

Sure it could happen.

[J-ROD]

Okay...besides the factory, the owner states it’s been unfired.

My original question revolves around if B, S, L stocks came from the factory.