When in 1949 was the N0.4 Mk.2 introduced?

[spinecracker]

A quick question, and my pardon if this has already been answered, but when did the No.4 Mk.2 go into production in 1949? More specifically, in what month was the change over from doing FTRs on No.4 Mk.1s to doing FTRs on No.4 Mk.1s and modifying to No.4 Mk1/2 or Mk.1/3 configuration? My new purchase went through FTR in 1949 and was not modified, so I am curious.

Information

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[Amatikulu]

From my limited serial number survey the earliest I have is May 1949, and the latest MK1 is February 1949

http://home.earthlink.net/~smithkaia...ists/id15.html

[spinecracker]

Pardon my ignorance, but how do you know the month of the FTR? I'm not sure how my new toy would fit into your table, but its serial number is AP65**, and the serial numbers all match woohoo! (does not take much to make me happy lol).

[jmoore]

I don't believe all No4 Mk1's got the Mk1/2 conversion even w/ late overhaul dates. New rifle mfg. would be different.

[Peter Laidler]

New build Mk2's commenced with serial numbers PF---- and UF55A--- Prior to that the Mk1/2 and 1/3 rifles kept their original registered numbers and if they were illegible, then new issue numbers from a central index which I seem to recall, commenced ZZ---- (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that!)

Guestimating the month of manufacture can be pretty accurate on some weaponry. The No4, like the Bren have the year of manufacture so if, say Bren H-1234 is dated and proofed 1943 and Bren H-1734 is dated 1943 but PROOF dated 1944, then H1734 is a good guestimate of December/Jan production. Then using the same formula for the end of the year, divide by 12 (or even 52) and you have a reasonably fair to good to accurate of monthly output. If it was Leyland cars, you could chop that in half for days on strike, holidays, sickness, union meetings and so on..................

[SpikeDD]

Hey.. wait a minute ! I thought you had this one Amatikulu... sorry.

4/49 MK.I [PF 97,362 South African marked, All matching.

Thanks Brian

[A. F Medic]

New build Mk2's commenced with serial numbers PF---- and UF55A--- Prior to that the Mk1/2 and 1/3 rifles kept their original registered numbers and if they were illegible, then new issue numbers from a central index which I seem to recall, commenced ZZ---- (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that!)

Guestimating the month of manufacture can be pretty accurate on some weaponry. The No4, like the Bren have the year of manufacture so if, say Bren H-1234 is dated and proofed 1943 and Bren H-1734 is dated 1943 but PROOF dated 1944, then H1734 is a good guestimate of December/Jan production. Then using the same formula for the end of the year, divide by 12 (or even 52) and you have a reasonably fair to good to accurate of monthly output. If it was Leyland cars, you could chop that in half for days on strike, holidays, sickness, union meetings and so on..................

As you said about new builds, mine is UF.55 A16404. Unfired except at the armory.

[bearhunter]

I think it also depends on where the No4 MkIs were made. Canada made MkI* rifles right into the early fifties for an example. I don't know about Pakistan or India.

[jmoore]

Yes, very good on NEW rifle production, but I think Spinecracker is asking about FTR dates pertaining to the Mk 1/2 and 1/3 conversions since his rifle was NOT "upgraded". Would all FTR's after a certain date have had the conversion?

[jmoore]

dupe due to hourly data dump, sorry