Help with Mk5 Jungle Carbine

[Peter Laidler]

\The FTR55 on the top left side of the body was the BSA mark. They did thousands for foreign governments under the Aid for XYZ agreements or the Crown Agents programme. We'd occasionally see them marked like that when they came through thge system from other nations but never saw a UK MoD one. Our FTR's were all Fazakerley or occasionally, Enfield, marked exactly as per the Faz FTR spec.

The Nic (is that Nicosia ?) CYP (is that Cyprus?) isn't one of ours

[Brit plumber]

It is indeed, but I dont know if it was Police or Military. I had a unmarked No.4/5 conversion a while back but it was a rough pig so it went to a new home.

[clarkmilitaria]

Does anyone need to see any more photos? I am not really comfortable taking the gun apart, so that may have to wait a few daysuntil I can take it out to my local shooting center. Thanks for the help so far.

[Thunderbox]

\The FTR55 on the top left side of the body was the BSA mark. They did thousands for foreign governments under the Aid for XYZ agreements or the Crown Agents programme. We'd occasionally see them marked like that when they came through thge system from other nations but never saw a UK MoD one. Our FTR's were all Fazakerley or occasionally, Enfield, marked exactly as per the Faz FTR spec.

The Nic (is that Nicosia ?) CYP (is that Cyprus?) isn't one of ours

Wasn't NIC/CYP previously identified as the work of an Australian (Sydney-based?) gunsmith?

There are loads of civvie-created No5s around, both No4 bodies milled to look like No5 bodies, and many where they didn't bother. At the moment, there is someone in UK having a good (yet so far unsuccessful) go at faking up electro-pencil markings..... caveat emptor....

[Peter Laidler]

I just thought that the NIC CYP marks were a bit too modern. Done with a pantograph but using a what we called 'scratchy-pen' instead of rotating cutters.

I don't ever recall anyone numbering the main body with the little electric pencil. All we used that for was numbering the breech blocks and carriers/ piston extensions and No2/L9 pistol barrels. Is that your take on the electric pencil Tankie and Skippy? Big workshops always use the Taylor Hobson pantograph engravers with spinning cutters and not scratchy pens

We also used it to mark gauges too but it was a crap mewthod of marking as the electric arc effect only penetrated to about half a micron deep!

[skiprat]

I only ever used the electric pencil on parts that had been changed (breech blocks , carriers). NEVER for the master serial numbers (on the bodies)
the serial numbers on GPMGs and SLRs breech blocks didn't last long if done with the electric pen due to the rubbing on the rounds in the magazine/belt

[clarkmilitaria]

In the event that I get my Mk5 disassembled, are there any particular things you need photos of?

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Lightening cuts in the barrel. You should see the upper ones after removing only the handguard.

[Peter Laidler]

I wouldn't bother Clarkie, it's most probably genuine. Just go out and enjoy it

[Beerhunter]

In the event that I get my Mk5 disassembled, are there any particular things you need photos of?

Be careful not to confuse your "Marks" with your "Numbers". A Jungle Carbine is a Rifle, No.5 Mk.1. Very different to a Rifle, No.1 Mk.V.