Trying to trace history on my SMLE?

[SIMONJF]

I have a SMLE No 4 Mk 1 and am trying all I can to trace some of its history.

Its Ser is 1/49 (January 1949?) PF73370 - I believe thats a ROF Fazakerley gun. The dealer I bought it from said he bought a batch of these from the South African Gov.

It is possible the rifle was ordered by RSA direct from its maufacturer. If thats the case I stand little chance of tracing its history further.

Can anyone help me please with further research advice

Information

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[Badger]

Well, some more information would be helpful and perhaps some pics...

Here's a link that will help you help us, so we can help you better.

What can you tell me about my rifle? (click here)

Regards,
Badger

[Amatikulu]

I own PF41397 and it was made at the Royal Ordnance Factory - Fazakerley in September of 1948. It is one of the last in the No.4 Mark 1 configuration as the No.4 Mark 2 started being made in April 1949.

Mine has the South African Ownership Mark which is shown below:

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Beyond the ownership marks there is little else to identify the history of the rifle.

[SIMONJF]

I own PF41397 and it was made at the Royal Ordnance Factory - Fazakerley in September of 1948. It is one of the last in the No.4 Mark 1 configuration as the No.4 Mark 2 started being made in April 1949.

Mine has the South African Ownership Mark which is shown below:

[/IMG]

Beyond the ownership marks there is little else to identify the history of the rifle.

Thanks Amatikulu, I am from across the Pond in Nottingham (yeah I know - Robin Hood Country). Our respective Ser Nos and dates do certainly correspond, there are 2 strange markings on the breech top I cant identify. See enclosed pic which is very high resolution, - any ideas? Errrm oh great - Milsurp cant upload my photos cus there too big - well theyre makro pics so that detail can be seen. Huh - would u be good enough to give me ur email ad. (i am simonjfreeman@hotmail.com) I would love to see some of your pics and how you got the rifle.

[Badger]

T Errrm oh great - Milsurp cant upload my photos cus there too big - well theyre makro pics so that detail can be seen.

Here's a good article in our Q&A forums by Stevo, that talks about how you can obtain free software to resize pics for any purpose....

How do I upload or post images on MILSURPS.COM? (click here)

Regards,
Badger

[SIMONJF]

Well, some more information would be helpful and perhaps some pics...

Here's a link that will help you help us, so we can help you better.

What can you tell me about my rifle? (click here)

Regards,
Badger

Thanks for that Badger, the pics I have are high res makros for max detail and milsurp cant handle them. They are only about 1.5 Mb each so how else can I post them?, email? (I am simonjfreeman@hotmail.com)

[Badger]

Thanks for that Badger, the pics I have are high res makros for max detail and milsurp cant handle them. They are only about 1.5 Mb each so how else can I post them?, email? (I am simonjfreeman@hotmail.com)

Hello again ..

It doesn't make any difference if they're 10 megabytes each....

Here are two pics that are 2.5 megabytes originally, resized for the Internet to be quick views.

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

If you simply download the FREE Microsoft resizer program mentioned in the link we gave you, it will run with a "right mouse click" on your file and resize the pics (select 800x600). The loss of any detail will be virtually negligible due to the way the program works and the amount of detail one can see on the typical computer screen anyway.

It's a great little add-on and the price is right...

Regards,
Badger

[SIMONJF]

Well, some more information would be helpful and perhaps some pics...

Here's a link that will help you help us, so we can help you better.

What can you tell me about my rifle? (click here)

Regards,
Badger

Hope u can see these photos now: 027 is Left side of receiver. 028 is shot of markings on top of the breech, what are they? 029 is self explanatory but there is a mark right of Ser No, could be just damage? 030 is complete rifle for parade use - white sling and polished No 7 Bayonet.
As a 12 year old cadet, this was the first weapon I fired in uniform and was quite skilled at rifle drill on the parade square (with bayonet fixed). Later in the reg army, I fired the 7.62 Mk1(T).
Ownership of guns in this country is severely restricted and at best VERY expensive. Even with a FFL, displaying a live weapon will get you a jail term and confiscation AND cancellation of your license if discovered so the only way of owning and displaying ANY weapon is to commission the Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House to de-activate it, which is costly and a shame I know. With 17 million of the things made though, there is hope yet that I may once again fire a Lee Enfield, instead of just play with it.

[Alan de Enfield]

Simon - that looks like a No9 bayonet to me a No7 looks like :





Whereabouts are you residing now - I'm originally a Nottingham lad.

[Amatikulu]

The "U" with the diamond in it is also recognized as a South African Military Ownership mark. I'll look for a link with more info tonight.