Serial Numbers Fact or Fiction?

[Thunderstreak]

Two questions regarding serial number stamps on Lee Enfield Rifles.
-I have been told by a highly regarded local “expert” that magazines on LE rifles were not originally stamped with serial numbers. He suggests that was done by armourers during maintenance/repair. Fact or fiction?
-I have noticed on numerous LE rifles that the font on the bolt serial number isn’t always the same as what’s on the receiver or barrel. Some are obvious faked restamps, others look more legit. For instance an SMLE that has been FTR’d in a different country than it was built.
I know we are fortunate to have some true experts here, looking forward to learning something!
Cheers!

[Alan de Enfield]

I have been told by a highly regarded local “expert” that magazines on LE rifles were not originally stamped with serial numbers. He suggests that was done by armourers during maintenance/repair. Fact or fiction?

A bit of both.

Prior to 1946 the No4 and No5 rifles did not have their magazines numbered, then an instruction to the factories was issued making the magazine numbering compulsory on all subsequent production.

At the same time an instruction went out to armourers that they should number the magazines on any 'un-numbered' rifles when they came into the armourers shop for their next check-up. It would appear that some armourers may not have acted on the instruction - or there are many Lee Enfields that have lost their original magazine and had it replaced in 'civilain use' with an un-numbered one.

The message obviously got thru to the armourer responsible for my 1942 Savage. It has both the forend and the magazine numbered.



The official notification ...............

[browningautorifle]

or there are many Lee Enfields that have lost their original magazine and had it replaced in 'civilain use' with an un-numbered one.

There was a well known gunshop here that removed magazines from rifles and tossed them in a shoebox. When I bought a pristine #5, had to ask for a mag. I got lucky and he pulled out the same numbered one. Otherwise he'd have told me go hang if I insisted on him searching.

[Surpmil]

IIRC the factories seem to have marked along the bases of the mags while armourers preferred across usually(?)

Apparently no stake was provided or advised from the varying depths of stamping one sees.