"...actively sought out and destroyed..." 'A' Suffix No.4 Rifles

[Beerhunter]

The question becomes "Why so many A suffix'd Fazakerley rifles?" Perhaps we can shed the blind monks examining an elephant scenario and arrive at some conclusion.

Or: "Why so many A suffix'd Fazakerley rifles in the United States?"

I'd be interested if they are seen at all in the UK.

[bradtx]

jmoore, The only non Fazakerley with the A suffix I've had is a '41 Maltby with a 2-groove barrel.

Beerhunter, That these Fazakerley A suffixed rifles were FTR'd and converted to Mk.2 spec is the interesting item. If A suffixed Fazakerleys only were exported to the US that's fine because we got some beauties.

Brad

[Mk VII]

Plenty of them here too.

But the title of this seems misconceived. Pre-war trials rifles and Mk.VIs were the ones that were culled from the system.

[jmoore]

Plenty of them here too.

But the title of this seems misconceived. Pre-war trials rifles and Mk.VIs were the ones that were culled from the system.

Not miconceived at all! As you state, the "likely suspects" for "destuction" are the early rifles. However, somehow, it seems that now any "A" suffix rifle is seen as somehow magically escaping that rendering down.

Just trying to get things sorted at bit, and seeing if anything odd like Bradtx's Maltby surfaces. How about a No.1 Mk.VI or two? A No.5 ?

Again. a WWII ('41-'45 w/ a focus on '42-'43) NON-suffixed Fazackerly photo would be welcome, as well! I've never seen one.

[bradtx]

jmoore, Here's a quickie of the '41 Maltby:


Brad

[jmoore]

A couple of good posts on the subject by Krinko (post #15) and Peter Laidler (post #16) on the thread below:

Help on Serial Number - Page 2 - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

The "Reader's Digest" version:

Krinko has a picture of a Post War Fazackerly FTR.
Captain Laidler informs us that there was an "in-inspection" step- just how detailed, remains to be seen.

[jmoore]

An addition to the collection from member fishn861 , complete with photos.

Link below:
"My First Enfeild(sic) No.4 Mk1"
My First Enfeild No. 4 Mk1

Do please go through this thread again if you don't remember it.

I'm now wondering if the speculation that the charger bridge was welded at the factory might be the reason these rifles were given the "A" suffix!

---------- Post added at 02:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:51 AM ----------

Fazackerly rifles only, not others.

[Peter Laidler]

All Armourers knew about 'A' suffixed rifles. I'm sure that I have quoted a couple of times on the forum the exact answer, taken straight from the EMER. The A suffix wasn't only applied to rifles but Brens too.

I have never read in any official documents that these were to be weeded out and returned to Ordnance. They'd be returned to Ordnance if they couldn't be repaired to the laid-down EMER specification the same as anything else but if not, they'd carry on in service along with the rest. If they were actively sought out for destruction, how come so many were still in service when the last ones were finally withdrawn from the Cadet Forces in the 90's? And if they were withdrawn for destruction, how come thousands more were found suitable for conversion to Mk1/2.

Many trials Mk1's also carry an 'A' suffix (as well as the A prefix.....) and we know that that several of these were still in the system until the 90's

That weld by the bridge charger guide has been explained elsewhere too. That was a common repair but usually a bit tidier!

[jmoore]

Quite. For some of Peter Laidler's earlier comments see post #1 of this thread for the appropriate links. If needed, more will be linked in!

ETA(2 of 2): BTW, I'm NOT the one who claimed "A" suffix rifles were "sought out and destroyed", hence the quotations. This thread was started in refutation of such claims, but that point may not be so clear if you have jumped in midstream.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....ught+destroyed

AND

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=22423&page=2

Both post #13, I think.

[Rumpelhardt]

Please excuse the interruption and just slightly off topic but as a very curious newcomer to the Enfield world I was wondering just what the non standard parts would be?