No4 mk1/2 identification ??

[billy67]

Hi,

I have this lee enfield no4 Mk1/2 Fazakerly FTR /53 that I bought sporterized few years ago and became my first restored project. When I look at all the stamps and markings, there are many that I can't identify. I will add some pics and hopefully you guys can give me a little bit of her history.

Thanks in advance for your inputs


Rifle was in that shape when I first got it.


Now




I believe its a years 1942 but im not sure. The last number can be either a 2 or a 5 maybe ?




Finally, is this normal the trigger house has the cut off similar to the No5 Jungle carbine ?
Maybe a mixed up part, I dunno..

Information

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[Roger Payne]

Hello Billy67. Firstly, let me congratulate you on the tidy restoration job you've done on the No4. It looks just great now. The rifle was made at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Maltby in South Yorkshire, England, in 1942. The funny looking 'M' on the butt socket of the rifle is their characteristic manufacturer's mark (it's just in front of the date & the upside down broad arrow). As you are already aware it underwent a FTR refurbishment in 1953.

Had you noticed that your rifle appears to have a SMLE magazine in it? Not a big issue, of course, just an observation.

Others who know better may correct me but I think the 'slimmed down' jungle carbine type trigger guard was also approved for use on No4's as well - certainly I've seen many, many No4's wearing them over the years, particularly as fitted to Mk1/2, 1/3, & Mk2 rifles.

ATB

[ssj]

My 3 x Mk2s all have the skinny trigger guard, with the waist. Since the trigger is now on a steel block I'd assume the easy replacement was throw a new one on when FTR'd?

[Peter Laidler]

FTR wasn't about replacing anything. It was about rebuilding the rifle to give it another 80% of new life starting again. Every part was subject to an as-new examination and only then re-used.

So far as the trigger guards were concerned we had what we called 'workshop instructions' that components designated and codified as from the No5 rifle were to be deemed fully interchangeable with the No4 rifles. These included lightweight sears, trigger guards, locking bolts and strangely, stock bolts although I don't ever recall noticing a lightweight stock bolt. Or maybe I just didn't take that much interest.

As I understand it, all Mk2 trigger guards and the lightened Mk2 variety (the solid varieties) started their life off as modified Mk1's. That sounds as clear as mud....... But you get my drift

[billy67]

Thanks a lot for your inputs guys. Much appreciated.
Didn't noticed the mag is a SMLE lol but it works well.
The barrel has a big Stamp 53 on and I believe its been replaced for a 1953 years barrel. When you look at the rifling, obviously its not a beat up one.
By the way, any chance that rifle was issued in a war theatre at some point during ww2 maybe ?

Thanks again !
-Billy

[Roger Payne]

Billy,
Unfortunately, to the best of our knowledge, there are no surviving records that would allow us to trace the service life of any particular rifle, but being manufactured in 1942 it is quite likely yours ended up at the sharp end somewhere!

ATB