Questions on No.4 Mk.1

[stan61]

I have an Enfield No.4Mk1 that has a different finish on the metal than what I've seen on these. The receiver, buttsocket, front and rear bands and the front sight protector have a dark olive tone with what almost looks like a case hardened finish underneath. Was this normal for these? The bolt, magazine and the metal on the forend and handguard have a more blackened finish. The buttsocket is crudely stamped R O F and the serial # there matches the bolt handle L 27XXX A But it also has the Canadian C with arrow in it on the left forward receiver with a number B 3XX under it? I can find no date on it anywhere. Looks like the receiver markings were scrubbed just ahead of the No.4 Mk.1 marking. No import marking that I can find, unless it was in the scrubbed area. The barrel has what looks like an overstamped DR? with the number 44 after it under the rear upper handguard. Is this a Longbranch ?, R.O.F. ?, a 1944 arsenal overhaul or some old mixmaster? When did Mk 1production stop and Mk1* begin?

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[me2]

North American & Canadian made #4 rifles were not suncorited from the factory. Blueing or a form of blueing was the original finish on these rifles. As far as the other aspects of your rifle are concerned I have no real idea of what you have, others will no doubt add their knowledge to your questions. Some photos would help.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

ROF on the butt socket would make it a Fazakerly product and the L prefixed serial number dates it (I think) 1942. Mk.1* rifles were only made in North America beginning in '42.

[stan61]

Thanks for the replies! I thought it was a Fazakerley, but the C with arrow in it made me think Long Branch. Did the Canadian Army stamp British supplied rifles with that mark as well, or was it reserved for the Canadian manufactured ones only?

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

The Canadian property stamp does appear on non-Long Branch rifles. Could the greenish color on the metal be old paint? This was applied for extra corrosion protection by some users in wet climates.

[browningautorifle]

The Australians used a green paint on their rifles under the woodwork and I'm not sure about where else. Pics would be invaluable here.

[stan61]

I don't think it's paint. It looks like a nice old olive brown patina over the original surface which has a distinct metalic gold case hardened look. I will attempt to attach photos.
It's possible the original finish has worn off and this is what remains. It does look quite nice though.

[stan61]

Here are some more views.

[Peter Laidler]

It looks to me like the metalwork has been scrubbed clean/clear and some commercial browning or blacking has been applied and if I might be so bold as to suggest further............., applied badly too!

Canada did have large quantities of UK made No4 rifles especially in the BAOR/CAE zone of Germany where our Ordnance stockpiles were pooled and it made no difference whatever Mk type they were. They all went through the same REME/RCEME workshops but they weren't marked with the CArrow there. During the 70's a lot of .303 ammo was returned from Germany and much of this was Canadian manufacture and most of this went into the Cadet supply system

[stan61]

Well, the photos don't really do justice to it. The translucent olive brown finish is nothing special, it's the colors on the surface underneath that I was wondering about. It looks like a 19th century color case hardened surface underneath that really shows the purple and golden hue when you look at it a certain way under the light. I'm pretty sure such a finish would never be applied to a 20th century battle rifle as it was a time consuming process. I was just wondering how the original metal might have been treated or hardened prior to any blueing, parkerizing, suncoriting etc. that could explain that look? I've seen a couple photos of other enfields that look like they have a hint of that golden tint under some of the surface wear, but nothing to the extent of mine. I've had this rifle for over 20 years and never really looked into it's history. Perhaps some previous owner attempted his gun finishing skills on this rifle and tried to cover it with some browning solution. If it's some kind of color case finish in a can, then I'm impressed with it's appearance! I think it looks nice,would look great on the frame of a Colt Peacemaker ( minus the brown) but would of course prefer something closer to the original finish on a milsurp rifle.