Mystery (to me) No 4 mk 2

[Peter Laidler]

I would very much doubt that that was a Fazakerley allocated and marked registered number JM. I know that their engraving marks were dire but stamping on the body sides was not allowed - except for the letter 'T' and that was only due to a bit of ambiguous wording.

You might also see another particularly identifiable Fazakerley feature on the lower photo. Note the SCREW, catch, magazine. On Fazakerley production, the screw head sits fully recessed into the lug whereas on other manufacturers products, the screw head isn't recessed but sits onto a narrower differently profiled lug. Not a lot of people know that!

There you go, another section examiners mark. This time 59-PL

Information

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[polaris]

Thank you for all the information.

Do you have any idea, how many of those rifles were produced during this period?
Does it mean this is a rare variant of a No4mk2?

[Seaspriter]

Do you have any idea, how many of those rifles were produced during this period?
Does it mean this is a rare variant of a No4mk2?

I'd guess that these were rifles made of "scraps and spares" that were left at the end of production at Fazakerley in '56. You can see it has a modified fore-end using a Mk1 fore-end adapted with a filler plug to a Mk2 trigger. If there are any production records on this "tail end of production" they aren't well recorded, although someone might have some recollection or records.

As for rarity, yes you have a "rare" version. Whether it is "valuable" is a totally different matter. For example, when Long Branch ceased production in 1950, they continued to produce Dominion of Canada Rifle Association versions from scraps and spares and limited production into the 1950s which were target rifles, and have thus have value today. Unless there is something unique and valued about your rare version, there may not be a market for your unusual gun. If there was a verifiable "provenance" or "back story," then it might have some value. Otherwise, don't think you just won the lottery. Suggest you hold on to the rifle until someone emerges from the nooks and crannies of Lee Enfield history that can give credence to your find, then it might accumulate additional value.