Enfield No4 Mk1 Identification Help

[Sparkybond007]

Has there been another number below the serial number at one time do you think? I wonder if this number has been re-applied or is a replacement number? Hopefully someone will be along shortly to tell us.

I don't think there has been. If so, they didn't leave anything behind.

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[krinko]

The sloppy EP marking is typical of a 1943 Fazakerley. Location of the marks is normal, as is the serial number.
At that time, FAZ was running three sets of serial numbers concurrently, with a funny prefix system. The second letter of the prefix indicated which "line" produced the rifle, _A, _B or _C.
The first letter indicated the "series" produced by that line and changed when the serial number got to 99999.
So when AA got to AA99999, the prefix would switch to BA, then to CA etc.
Likewise the AB would switch to BB and then CB; the AC would switch to BC and then CC.
-----krinko

[Sparkybond007]

The sloppy EP marking is typical of a 1943 Fazakerley. Location of the marks is normal, as is the serial number.
At that time, FAZ was running three sets of serial numbers concurrently, with a funny prefix system. The second letter of the prefix indicated which "line" produced the rifle, _A, _B or _C.
The first letter indicated the "series" produced by that line and changed when the serial number got to 99999.
So when AA got to AA99999, the prefix would switch to BA, then to CA etc.
Likewise the AB would switch to BB and then CB; the AC would switch to BC and then CC.
-----krinko

So what about the marking on the stock and on the band? Do you have any idea?

[Flying10uk]

Parts such as bands can be changed during a repair or a replacement and the replacement may be by another manufacturer/subcontractor. I'm guessing the band markings should be read the other way round for "VNS", Viners, perhaps?

[krinko]

VNS is indeed Viners.
The meaning of the "FR" on the stock is not nailed down. It is associated with some kind of repair---but "needed" or "made" isn't clear.
My 1943 Fazakerley has an "FR" on the butt, just like yours and also retains the simple rear sight.
The rear sight is a fairly good indicator that the rifle has not been subjected to the post war rebuild program that most No4s got.
This is a good thing. Rifles in their original war dress are hard to come by, as the rebuild program seems to have been very, very thourough.

http://www.skennerton.com/index.html

Go get "British Small Arms of WW2" at Ian Skennerton's web site if you are going to collect No 4 rifles and such. It is a good way to learn to "read" British weaponry.
-----krinko