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  1. #1
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    My Mystery Enfield

    I have acquired a No. 4 Mk 1 (I believe) which I saved from "Bubba." She has no bolt and is missing her furniture on top and the front portion on the bottom, no barrel bands and no rabbit ears. The barrel is intact, though and the rifling - after a good cleaning - seems quite salvagable.
    What has me stumped is the fact that there are no manufacturers stamps on the left side of the receiver....NONE. I don't believe they've been ground off, unless it was done a very long time ago. They're just not there.
    The wrist band has 1944 stamped on it, the letter "k" and the serial no is 36xxx. There are proof marks near the muzzle and Brit marks on top of the receiver. The letters "ZF" are stamped into the right side of the butt and "HQ 40" on the portion of the brass butt plate that overlaps the butt.
    She's a little rusty and tired looking right now, but some day I plan to have her as pretty as when she was new.
    Would anyone out there have any clues as to her pedigree as well as suggestions on where to begin looking for parts?

    Thanks.

    P.S. If this post is more suitable elsewhere on this forum, I apologize, I'm new here.
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    ZF was the condition code applied to condemned equipment (guns) in the Britishicon service.

    I was just dong an inventory on my Enfields this morning and also was wondering about a similar unmarked rifle. Just like yours, I have the date, and a serial number, but nothing visible identifying the manufacturer. When I get around to stripping it down, I'll see if there are any hidden marks.


    Someone told me that there is an entry on the firearms ref table which lists "unknown" as the manufacturer for rifles like these.

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    Condemned, eh? That doesn't sound good.

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    36XXX is a BSA serial number, FWIW.
    Союз нерушимый республик свободных Сплотила навеки Великая Русь. Да здравствует созданный волей народов Единый, могучий Советский Союз!

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    What horrible offense would a war-time rifle have to commit to get condemned? Is this thing worth fixing up or is it better used as a tomato stake?

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    I got the ZF information from one of the chapters in "the guns of Dagenham", which is on the Sterling SMG. It does not go into a lot of detail as to whether the gun would have been condemned for a reason, or merely obsolete.

    If the gun has the commercial proof marks, then it is likely OK. I would think a Britishicon proof house would not be putting there stamp onto faulty guns.

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    I have seen No. 4s with very faint electropenciled markings on the receiver wall. Wear, tear, refinishing could easily eliminate them.

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    Many of the guns that were refinished in India had most if not all markings removed.

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    Thanks for all your feedback gentlemen. Would there be marks to indicate an Indian refinish?
    Is there a good source for spare parts to get her up and running again?

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    I think if it were refurbished in India it will have an "Ishpoore screw". Other guys can better explain what that is, or you can find referrence to it on this site.

    Here and CanadianGunNutz.com are both good sources for parts and knowledge
    Pete

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