I have a question regarding an Enfield No.4 Mk 1 with relatively no markings.

[rickv100]

Does the bolt match the serial number on the gun? The bolt handle looks like it was lightened by hollowing the handle like a number 5

Rick

[Peter Laidler]

What condition do I consider the rifle to be in? Well, mechanically, I can't tell but it may be and very probably is, perfect. But aesthetically, it's crap! If it was one of ours, the first question would be how the xxxx has this got to this state and where the xxxx has it been! Then it'd be brought intop the armourers shop and rebuilt. But a rifle in that condition would be diverted to the next line workshop (A field or Command workshop) and given the full-works and it'd come back like new. Or better than new if we're talking of Fazakerley 'new' standards.

That said, we didn't go in for what it LOOKS like, nor does the average crunchie. What we do go for in a big way is serviceability, reliability and accuracy. If you've got those three things, the average crunchie is more than happy

[jmoore]

But aesthetically, it's crap!

Eye of the beholder, I reckon. I'd rather have worn old finish than a fresh tarting up. What's sad is a tired FTR, though...

[ssj]

has a scarce flat sided cocking piece.

Quite a few on ebay....

regards

---------- Post added at 09:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:14 PM ----------

Has the front left of the receiver not been milled down? In front of the ejector screw? Also, I've never had a handle on the flat cocking pieces. Un-serrated...when did they surface? Late war?

Otherwise, I'd have that one too...looks fine.

War expediency part, I think they are classed as unsafe as they could slip out of your fingers so were replaced (Peter?) I wonder if it has the dodgy safety as well. Fasinating....

[ssj]

You could try removing the top rear wood guard and see what stamped on the barrel under it, that might be useful. On the safety lever do I see an "F"? or the LB? Any stamps on the action, 3mm high ones? You might learn more with the front woods off.

Looking at the wood etc a huge careful clean might work wonders, a stiff nylon brush and cleaning stuff on the metal....it might just be grubby and clean up wonderfully. The sights are 1942 era so original? easy to get those anyway.....

Any serial number on the bolt or mag?

[Cobra1836]

The Bolt Serial is the same as the electro-pencil/hand engraved serial on the butt sock i believe somebody said. Also where the barrel meets the receiver i found a B after i took the upper wood off, sadly i will have to get a gunsmith to take off the screw holding the forward piece on, unless somebody knows where i can get a replacement screw.

---------- Post added at 08:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:39 PM ----------

Thanks, as long as she shoots accurately and safely, i'm happy to own a "crappy" looking piece of history. damn the rest.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

That cocking piece appears to be one of the "emergency" models: no grasping grooves and NO half-cock bent.

I understood that these were replaced with "proper" ones as soon as possible in their service lives.

Just wondering, does the safety catch assembly have a full set of the correct parts; I seem to recall that ther was a "temporary relaxation" that allowed the use of an unthreaded locking bolt and thus the mechanism does not "catch" the bolt

[ssj]

That cocking piece appears to be one of the "emergency" models: no grasping grooves and NO half-cock bent.

I understood that these were replaced with "proper" ones as soon as possible in their service lives.

Just wondering, does the safety catch assembly have a full set of the correct parts; I seem to recall that ther was a "temporary relaxation" that allowed the use of an unthreaded locking bolt and thus the mechanism does not "catch" the bolt

That agrees with what Ive read as well. Both were considered unsafe after the war and usually replaced. Though one version lacked grasping grooves but had the half cock cutout?

Enfield No4 Cocking Piece | eBay

...or the gun was sold out of service. I suppose its hard to grasp just how desperate things were at the beginning of the war.....most stuff left at Dunkirk and the Nazis building an invasion fleet.

[Cobra1836]

SSJ the cocking piece is the same as the one you posted from ebay.

[ssj]

does the mag have a stamped serial number and does it match the bolt/receiver? If so on the follower inside is the a 3mm high F or something?

you can replace the cocking piece if you want....also the safety if it lacks the arcemdes thread...whats stamped on safety catch?