Lee Enfield No 4 Mk1 1942 would like to have details of rilfel confirmed

[Cheese Noodles]

I am posting pictures of my Lee Enfield No 4 Mk1, 1942 Mfg. It was my first Enfield and now 1 of 3 I own. It was obtained to be a shooter and fill my goal of having the main battle rifle from each country in WWII. It was obtained pretty long ago and picked from a rack of about a dozen at a local sporting goods chain store. I picked it because of the condition, matching bolt, very good bore and the 1942 date. I was please to find it shot nicely and was accurate. I liked the sights, trigger and the size of the rifle. My limited knowledge just guessed it had a replacement but stock but that was about my limit. I would really like to know the maker and how much of the original rifle is still intact. Maybe a Maltby? What is the W (or) in the star represent? Any details on the stamps and markings is greatly appreciated. I liked the rifle so much I later obtained a 1928 Lithgow SMLE and even got lucky and picked up a No4 Mk 1 T. This rifle was my shooter and cemented my appreciation for the rifle. This is a great forum and I have learned more in a few visits than all the arm chair experts. Thank you all for your time in advance.Attachment 73865Attachment 73866Attachment 73867Attachment 73868Attachment 73869Attachment 73870Attachment 73871

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[CINDERS]

Nice rifle looks to have the Weedon star I may be incorrect but others will assist with the other stuff, be nice to see the pics of your Sniper T

[Badger]

It may be the Weedon marking convention by one of the W.R.S. (Weedon Repair Standard) sub-contractors. Normally you see the six (6) pointed star with a letter underneath it as opposed to being stamped inside it.

A rifle having undergone W.R.S. repairs may be identified by a six (6) pointed star stamped into the wood, with a letter stamped underneath it indicating the specific sub-contractor who did the work. For example, the pics below show a different 1944 M47c (BSA Shirley) No.4 Mk1(T) in my wife's private collection. The butt itself on her rifle was changed during a visit to for W.R.S. work to W.W. Greener, as indicated by the six (6) pointed star and the letter V, which was their sub-contractor code letter.

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Doug

[muffett.2008]

Yep, Maltby.

[SpikeDD]

Nice looking rifle. I can tell you for sure that your rifle was manufactured late in 1942 the Maltby arsenal. It does look to have been dressed up at some point with new paint and wood. Regardless, if it shoots well and you like it, I'd say you did well.

[Cheese Noodles]

Ok, the but stock has been replaced but the rest of the wood is correct? Also it was repainted. Any way to verify the original barrel is still attached? I am not really keen on taking it apart due to my below par skills with any tools. Any venture on the value at todays market? I purchased it over 35 years ago for a bit over $100 dollars. I was shooting Mauser rifles and a Finish Mosin M39 at the time. It was a contrast in design and I did not anticipate it was going to be such a pleasure to shoot. I got a couple of ammo cans full of 303 on stripper clips in green cloth bandoleers. It has functioned flawlessly and was a perfect fit on my shoulder. I really liked the sights and the trigger pull. As a kid I read with great reverence the stout resolve of the Common Wealth soldier in WWII. I will try to snap some pictures of my Lithgow and No 4 Mk1 T. The latter also gained respect as I had a Swede M41b and Mosin 91/30 PU and darn if the British Telescopic rifle was the easiest for me to adjust for crosswind and distance and reward me with nice tight groups. I had little experience and just kind of winged it in the field. Thanks again for all the knowledge and a great web site.

[Flying10uk]

Cheese Noodles, is that a long butt stock, by any chance, fitted to your rifle indicated by a "L" on the upper face of the butt near the butt plate?

[Cheese Noodles]

To Flying10uk, I don't know. My knowledge for the Lee Enfield is limited. By long butt stock, meaning length? I can measure it if that's the indication. I am about 6'2" do well with the longer rifles. When I acquired this rifle, I compared about a dozen and this one stood out by matching numbers, 1942, fit/finish and barrel condition. They all seemed very similar, but it was very long ago. This rifle sat for a long time with all the rest due my current hiatus in long gun shooting. This forum prompted me to take note of the markings and condition and learn the details.

[Flying10uk]

If it's the long butt stock there will be a letter "L" on the upper surface but if there is nothing it will just be the standard length stock.

[Cheese Noodles]

There is no L on the top of the butt stock. There is an S on the top, about an inch from the Brass Butt plate (it is numbered but does not match the rest of the rifle). I do have another couple of questions. The number 1 stamped on the bolt head, does it stand for anything as I have seen references to different numbers on the bolt heads. Other question, the black paint, was this the standard practice for WWII issue rifles?