My First Non-US rifle....No4 Mk1/3

[Roadkingtrax]

Just one observation. I don't ever recall us barring out the original number so as to make it illegible during any FTR or Base workshop overhaul. In fact, deleting a number was taboo. It was always barred through. There were exceptions where we would/could mill out the old but that was usually on No2 and L9 pistol slides/barrels where the an old one was being re-used on another pistol. But not the master number on the body - ever!

I wonder what the master number on the butt socket reads under the line of crosses

I'll endeavor to see if it is legible once the rifle arrives in a couple weeks. Is the butt socket an integral part of the receiver assembly? If so, I could understand how that would help share the load of recoil with the stock.

Just to be clear, the S/N would be struck...but not so it could never be read again? New punch or a heavy hand in this case perhaps?