Anyone see one like this before?

[Alake]

I have 2 303 Enfields which belonged to my Dad, who got them from his base in N.S. at the end of WWII. Dont know much about them, but i use one for hunting the other gets target fired every few years. The one i use for hunting look has the wood moded. But was told it came from the base that way. It is also stamped "For Factory Defence only" It is a No4 MK1 and England is stamper on it. There is no bayonet receiver. The rear sight is adjustable and graduated for distance and slides up or down a ladder. (other gun has 2 adjustments rear sight flips). It is also tapped for a scope rail on top above bolt which was there when he got it. Here are some pics I took, but i suck at pictures.

pictures below

Information

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[Alake]

More pictures

HUMM no pictures loaded

[Peter Laidler]

Ah, yes..... The ROF at Fazakerley had a stockpile of rifles, retained by use for the then War Department Police for 'Factory Defence Use' and this is marked in that thin and shallow Fozakerley engraving style on the left hand side, on the flat alongside the backsight.

The place was a hotbed of near anarchy during the late 50's and into the 60's when it was regularly strike bound. Common sense prevailed eventually and well, they closed it!

I don't supose anybody will admit to what the rifles were there for but 'factory defence' probably says it all.

I had an old BSA Mk1 rifle that was marked 'FACTORY DEFENCE USE' and the serial number was 13Cxxxx. How do they get that?

I think your dads rifles marked with this are from the early to mid 50's because this is when the 'situation' arose

[Alake]

OK sorry files were to large, here they are(i hope).

Peter thanks for the info, It would have been 1945-46 that he got the Enfield he was discharged just after the war ended, I tried to reach my mon to find out the exact year but she is out at the moment. I will correct the year if i am mistaken.

[Peter Laidler]

Exactly as I had and saw several still in service like it too. At the factory they were bog standard No4's. You's has been sporterised since. Someone cleverer that me will date their release from the MoD by the UK proof marks

[Beerhunter]

Assuming that there is no 'View' mark. Those proof marks (a crowned GP and an Armed Arm with a Scimitar/Seax over NP) are London post 1954. The ENGLAND is mark required by the United States.

[Peter Laidler]

I thought they would be 50's. If I was you Alake, I'd get a new barrel fitted to that rifle, get it de-bubbad and you have got yourself a genuine piece of historical No4 rifle with a known history.

I wouldn't think that anyone outside the UK Military has ever seen one so marked and I've only ever seen about 4.

On a lighter note, nobody could ever duplicate one because you could never fake that dire workmanship or engraving style. A rare bird indeed

[Alake]

Thanks for all the info there is more stamped on the barrel under the stock I will remove the stock and snap a pic. My other Enfield is dated but looks like most others. This one was the odd ball. Peter I am curious as to why I should get a new barrel fitted?
Thanks Tony

I looked under the stock . And on the barrel is stamped NP 18.5 tons just under the arm and scimitar. Also i noticed the butt plate is brass, my other Enfield is stainless (i think) and all the numbers match as well

[Peter Laidler]

New barrel because bubba has chopped a couple of inches off the one that's on it. It should have bayonet lugs fitted.

Don't bead blast that area with the Defence Use marking on it either because Fazakerley engraving is so shallow, it'll just wash out.

A true rare bird in my opinion. Anyone else got any other point of view or comment

[Alake]

OK thanks I thought the barrel was factory its very well done, you cant see it in the picture but it been machined about 1.5 inches back to fit the sight and the end (not sure the term used) has been beveled inside and out to look like my other Enfield.