P.O.F. production

[Orsogato]

Hi all,

I have a No4 MkI Pakistani Enfield marked:

52/P.O.F./A2###

[Orsogato]

Here is my Pakistani. The pics stink. Sorry. The stock is pretty dinged up, but then again I only paid $125 for it.

[gunner]

A friend has a No.4 MK.2 from 54 i think and he has the F. and the P.O.F. electro penciled on his rifle.

Regards

Gunner

[Peter Laidler]

There is documentation around somewhere ( I think it's in store at xxxxxxxx so it'll take me a few weeks to hunt it down) that on the closure of the old ROF at Maltby, because it and everything there belonged to the Ministry of Supply, all of their rifle making equipment went into store at a disused RAF bomb store near to Aylesbury. It was then quickly got OUT of store and underwent a major refurbishment just prior to Korea as did the C-P ammunition making plant, in case it was needed again in a hurry. ROF-6, Fazakerley stepped up their rifle FTR and conversion programme just in case.......

What I'm saying is that I don't think Maltby rifle production facilities went to Pakistan, it stayed in store. But maybe it was the BSA No4 rifle production plant. I don't know but Maltby stayed here. If it did go, it wouldn't have been MUCH, much later, probably in the early 60's

[limpetmine]

That's interesting, (the BSA plant); and just goes to show that there is a lot left to learn about the history of these things, and internet rumors and ramblings gain a life of their own. Thanks for the insight! It would be great to know more. Thank you!

[Peter Laidler]

Don't quote me that it WAS the BSA plant Limpet but it wasn't Maltby. That plant peculiar to barrel and rifle making was stored for many years. But BSA, who only made No4 rifles on contract to the MoSupply were a private manufacturer. Does anyone know if they made rifles NEW after wartime production ceased? And if so, who for?

[bradtx]

Peter, I've never heard of Fazakerley referred to as ROF-6, an in-house designation?

The story I heard, and can certainly be false, is that Wah recieved at least some BSA-Shirley equipment, nothing from Maltby and later at least some equipment from Fazakerley, possibly for the Mk.2 (which, as I understand it is a bit different from the Fazakerley Mk.2).

Other than the post war No.5, some 'housecleaning' No.4s and some Mk.1/2 conversions it looks like BSA withdrew from the L-E manufacturing.

Brad

[Peter Laidler]

All of the old ROF's had a number and Fazakerley was always referred to by us as ROF-6. Just a little reference point among Armourers. I have no idea about the ROF6 kit going to Pakistan but the virtually unused L1A1 rifle making equipment went to Lithgow.

Don't understand the secnd paragraph about the Faz Mk2 being different from the Faz Mk2? Only FAZ made the Mk2! Clarify.........

As I understand it, BSA finished their wartime Ministry of Supply contracts plus the No5's and 8's and reverted back to COMMERCIAL FTR programmes for any foreign government who wanted this type of work. They did want to market the No8 commercially SO I HAVE BEEN TOLD. But this was stopped after a bit of hanky-panky (another technical term for you to inwardly digest) over supplies to - I believe - New Zealand with odd serial numbers that didn't show up or fall within the allocated Ministry of Supply lists. I didn't or don't understand it but has/can anyone in NZ with an odd serialled No8 tell us from the markings tell us where it was made? It'll be either BSA or FAZ of course. And on what body it is based on? The No4 or light No5.

Anyway, BSA were prohibited from post war full rifle production because the MoS wanted to keep their own rifle factories in business. Not a wise move thinking about Fazakerley!

They did supply the very last No1 spares plus any Mk1 and 2 Bren spare parts post war but only parts that they were already geared up to supply, such as butt slides, woodwork and fittings. As a result, they only got a few dribs and drabs from the 1944 onwards Mk3 contracts.

[bradtx]

Peter, Now that I re read it, it isn't too clear, sorry. POF, as I understand it also made a Mk.2 action body, tho' slightly different from Fazakerley's Mk.2 action body and if rumor be truth, was made using Fazakerley's old equipment.

Brad

PS If rumor, now's a good time to blow it out of the water.

[Peter Laidler]

We didn't have, or if we did, I certainly didn't see a POF No4 Mk2 rifle in UK Military service! Maybe someone with one could do a detailed examination of a Fazakerley and POF Mk2 to see what the differences were. But if it was ROF6 machinery, then the POF's will (?) be dated after ROF6 ceased production

Maybe someone could do a similar exercise and examine side by side, an early POF and a BSA/ROF6/Maltby No4 Mk1 to help identify the source of the factory plant at the POF. It wouldn't be conclusive of course but it'd be getting pretty well towards it