Early, early Maltby? One of the first??

[Lance]

There is no definite proof either way on the body but I would lean toward a semi-manufactured Enfield body finished at Maltby based on the cut-off screw hole and only the few Maltby inspector marks. The questions it raises is there any other pre-10000 rifles out there that are not in the 3XXX s/n batch? Compared with the other 3XXX rifle the inspector proof marks are the same just its body markings are standard roll stamped so was this rifle number "14" that was then assigned a 3XXX number and added to the first run of rifles? If it was the 14th rifle made during the initial set up it makes sense that later someone would engrave the body markings as it would be too late to roll stamp the body. Sadly there are not enough rifles to compare it with.

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[linpao]

good morning everyone, really nice piece Lance, I own one too but with a much higher serial number, despite having the same year of manufacture, as soon as I have a moment I'll do it and try to post some photos, clearly from the serial number yours is very most quoted being one of the first.
Linpao

[Surpmil]

There is no definite proof either way on the body but I would lean toward a semi-manufactured Enfield body finished at Maltby based on the cut-off screw hole and only the few Maltby inspector marks. The questions it raises is there any other pre-10000 rifles out there that are not in the 3XXX s/n batch? Compared with the other 3XXX rifle the inspector proof marks are the same just its body markings are standard roll stamped so was this rifle number "14" that was then assigned a 3XXX number and added to the first run of rifles? If it was the 14th rifle made during the initial set up it makes sense that later someone would engrave the body markings as it would be too late to roll stamp the body. Sadly there are not enough rifles to compare it with.

I'm not clear on your meaning here:

The questions it raises is there any other pre-10000 rifles out there that are not in the 3XXX s/n batch?

Do we have any reason to think Maltby serials didn't begin at 0, 100, or perhaps 1000?

The electric pencil markings on the receiver/body wall are almost exactly what is on the later stamp and that is probably not a coincidence as those markings are quite unique in terms of No.4 rifle markings overall.

So that might suggest the stamp(s) were already decided on and perhaps ordered, and in the interim the electric pencil was used.