Mystery Marking (WLH/10/56)

[Enfield Novice]

Peter, I have followed the various posts about the DP and ZF Marked rifles over the last few months and read some of the earlier threads. Thank goodness the knowledge is being passed on so that unwary buyers can protect themselves. The question that pops into my mind is how does a rifle marked ZF in England in 1956 end up in the USA in what appears to be it's original state?. Now the DP I can understand and all the brightly colored paint marks. Also the drilling and cutting of receivers. If the next stop for a DP was typically for cadets etc then what was supposed to be the next stop for a ZF. Kind of makes you stop and think... How did potentially lethal (to the shooter) rifles get surplussed by the army without being disabled? Did they mark ZF in more than just one place? Of course it's many years ago and who knows how many hands the OPs rifle has passed through. Well I guess I am thinking too hard but it will make me redouble my efforts to be very careful when I look at potential purchases. By the way when did the DP and ZF Marking practice start? Thanks again for all your info and contributions. They certainly help all of us.

Information

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[Beerhunter]

How did potentially lethal (to the shooter) rifles get surplussed by the army without being disabled?

Simples! The British Government is exempt from the Gun Barrel Proof Act and therefore relies on the private sector (which is NOT exempt) to have military surplus firearms Proofed before onward sale. This has happened in the case of your rifle as is evidenced by the London Proof marks on it. And, so in this case the system has worked and the ZF mark is trumped by the civilian GP (Gunmakers Proof).

[jmoore]

And, so in this case the system has worked and the ZF mark is trumped by the civilian GP (Gunmakers Proof).

There's logic for you! The rifle may not have been fit for continued military use, but was't generally dangerous at the time of it's sale in this case.