No4 Identification: Interesting Serial

[Darlington]

Hi all,

Was chatting to local guy about a sporterized No4, it is cheap and looked like a good patient (barrel not cut etc., charger bridge might be cut though...waiting for more pics) for a debubba. I asked for a few pictures of the serials (below). They aren't the best but the original serial has been scrubbed and this new one L22309 added to both. Anybody have any ideas on this? thanks. Trying to get more/better pictures.
Attachment 104509Attachment 104510

Information

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[Surpmil]

The bolt is post-war production and had it been fitted to the rifle in British service I think we can fairly say both would have been refinished at that time.

The stamps struck on in the careless manner typical of certain factories might be "7" and "42" for the date, and what begins under the "E" of England, may be a "FTR" mark(?)

[Maxwell Smart]

I think that the L22309 might be the original serial. This looks to me to be a relatively early Fazakerley product - got the "A" suffix after the serial as well.

[Roger Payne]

Agree with above two posts. Many of the wartime rifles - especially those of early production, & even more especially those produced by Fazakerley - are very haphazaedly stamped on the butt socket. I suspect this rifle was produced in 1942 & that the serial number (characteristically commencing with a '2') is original to the rifle. As surpmil points out however, the bolt is a later replacement (rounded bolt knob without a hollow or a flat).

[Havenot]

My No.5 Mk.I has a re-stamped serial number. The model markings and the old serial number were faint(probably refinished a time or so)….anyhow the re-stamp serial is the same as the old serial number which is still legible.

[Brit plumber]

Often remarked or corrected when FTR’d due to the shot last/phosphating and suncorite painting removing the shallow electro pencilled original markings.

[Darlington]

Got another 3 key photos that fit with what you are all saying.

The good: The barrel is intact.
Attachment 104627
The great: Looks like a No4 Mk1. And on the next picture the good is you can see the bolt release.
Attachment 104626
The very bad: The charger bridge was cut off.
Attachment 104628
$125 was the price...so close. What a tragedy. No way to fix that receiver?
Any advice?

thanks all

[browningautorifle]

No way to fix that receiver

If you had a donor and a really good welder it could be I suppose, I wouldn't have bothered in the first place.

[Roger Payne]

Agreed. It's both theoretically & practically possible, but far more trouble than the rifle is worth. If you're looking for a cheap rifle to re-militarize I am sure there are better prospects out there.

[Darlington]

Yeah what I thought...thanks for input all

Agreed. It's both theoretically & practically possible, but far more trouble than the rifle is worth. If you're looking for a cheap rifle to re-militarize I am sure there are better prospects out there.