DP Stock Marks Query

[rapidh32]

Hi there I am an enthusiastic ametuer collector of general militaria and recently was asked for my opinion regarding the DP markings stamped on the top of the stock behind the rear sight of a SMLE No 4 Does any body have any answers please

Information

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[Badger]

Refer to the following …

With thanks to Advisory Panel member Peter Laidler, a new set of Armourers training notes has been added to the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here).

1945 Rifle & Pistol Armourers Training Notes (click here)

1945 Miscellaneous Armourers Training Notes (click here)

Also, refer to the thread in the The Lee Enfield Collectors Forum (click here) titled DP Rifles (click here) by Peter Laidler.

Here's a site provided by Amatikulu with some good information to bookmark for the future.

Lee Enfield Rifle Markings (click here)

Hope this helps somewhat...

I've also moved your thread to the above forum, which is more appropriate to your question.

Regards,
Badger

[NP2650]

What about individual parts that are marked "DP"? Does that mean the part itself was only suitable for DP service, or the entire rifle it was attached to? I have a 1913 Enfield No.1 Mk III (FTR'd in India in 1931). The nose cap is marked on the bottom with a small "DP", but no other parts are marked that way.

I've read the "ZF" thread, so I know I'm on sensitive ground here, but I'm a relative newbie to Enfields that's trying to learn, so go easy on me...

[Peter Laidler]

I think you're on safe ground there NP. It's when you've got one with the dreaded letters scattered all over it that there's a problem. It's an even bigger problem when you convince yourself that the dealer was for real when he told you it meant Dublin Police!

Like the dealer who told me that the big yellow ZF painted on the butt was Zimbabwe Forces!

But generally, we kept a tray of downgraded parts for DP rifles and Brens

[NP2650]

Thanks. I figured a completely downgraded rifle would have been more conspicuously marked. What would be out of sorts with a nose cap that would have it marked "DP" (there are no obvious flaws on it), and why would it have been added to an otherwise servicable rifle?

[Edward Horton]

We need to find out about the disposal system for each country that had the Enfield Rifle and how they handled surplus weapons and how they disposed of surplus material i.e. scrap weapons and parts to get your answer.

“ZF” would never be left on an Enfield rifle that went through an FTR or any parts stored as serviceable

Right now Gibbs rifle and Aim surplus are selling 03-A4 Springfield 30-06 sniper rifles made from surplus re-welded DP rifle receivers.

J.J. Co bought all remaining stockpiles of Australian Enfield’s along with leftover component parts, so surplus dealers can do anything they wish.

[Mk VII]

I've seen more than a few deacts for sale here that had patched up wood taken off L59 drill rifles.

[Peter Laidler]

Just thinking out aloud to answer NP's question about what would be wrong with a No1 rifle nosecap to render it unserviceable and suitable for DP purposes, I'd think a stripped thread that had been re-tapped oversize or bend but straightened foresight protector that subsequently cracked or worn out bayonet boss and/or standard would be the obvious.

At our workshops we had 'inspectors' bayonets with white painted grips and a cut-off blade that we'd use as a visual go gauge to test the bayonet fittings on the rifle. We had them for all of them including the No1, 4, 5 and L1A1, AR15/M16's. There were large variations in No5 bayonets and muzzle ring diameters.

If the bayonets flopped around like the proverbial sausage in the high street then the rifle fitting would be changed. Likewise if the inspectors bayonet wouldn't fit or was unduly tight.

[No4Mk1(T)]

Right now Gibbs rifle and Aim surplus are selling 03-A4 Springfield 30-06 sniper rifles made from surplus re-welded DP rifle receivers.

A bit off topic but are you sure about this Ed? According to their web sight they are using receivers they bought from Parker Hale when they closed up shop.
Gibbs 1903-A4 Sniper Rifle (click here)

[Edward Horton]

A bit off topic but are you sure about this Ed? According to their web sight they are using receivers they bought from Parker Hale when they closed up shop.
Gibbs 1903-A4 Sniper Rifle (click here)

No4Mk1(T)

I do not conceder this off topic at all, when I got my first Enfield for Xmas I emailed Century Arms and asked if they checked headspace on their Enfield Rifles. The answer came back NO we do not and are not required by law to perform ANY mechanical checks on these rifles as they are sold as C&Rs (wall hangers)

You never know what you could be getting from some importers and this is scary.

I read the link below just a few days ago and it was an eye opener because it is false advertising by Gibbs and Aim, the receivers have been re-welded.

Read carefully below the one poster who shot just a few rounds and the headspace changed drastically.

Please click on the link below.

New 1903's! - CMP Forums

This puts real meaning into what Mr. Laidler has been telling us about these rifles.