.303 Identification

[Sgt Hannie]

Hi there,

My family and I just cleaned out my Grandfathers old house and I ended up with an old .303

I'm curious as to what model it is..I've looked and looked and seen similiar MRK 4's and so forth but none with the matching stock..just actions.


I assume it's a Lee-Enfield but I'm not certain.


I have attached a link of the underside of the wrist
B
- -
32
is how it should look...my camera needs a tune up..sorry.

The receiver ring and the barrel of course match, but the underside of the bolt is stamped with a crown above BNP

There are several other stamps on the bolt as well

The part that rotates to fit into the receiver is stamped with a 2 and some other markings that make zero sense to me...and on the opposite end is stamped with 62 on the one side and " F55 2"

Also, Why don't I see any Mk1 or Mk2 with a similar stock? They all seem to be full stocks.



Here are a list of the markings on the rifle.

Barrel
BNP .303
2'222 18.5 tons per 0"
R4 -third of the way down Barrel

Then Something that kinda looks like this
<---Stamped Crown
---
60
N

Then Beside that
I
N
5

Stock Behind trigger finger
B
--
32

Magazine Has
Z
18170

opposite side of ejector port has been written by hand with and engraver..its very faint but it appears to read
N4MK1ROF1FF1344

..making it an MK 4 NO1 Im sure...but Im just curious about the details of the gun...different stock..etc


Thanks Guys and here are some pics

Yfrog - dscn1298 - Uploaded by SgtHannie

Yfrog - dscn1299z - Uploaded by SgtHannie

Yfrog - img1382xx9.jpg - Uploaded by SgtHannie

Yfrog - dscn1322q - Uploaded by SgtHannie

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Stevo]

By your report on the markings it's a No.4 MkI, made at Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerly.

The stock is a cut down original, that's why it's different.

[gunner]

Hi, Sgt Hannie

short information, you have an sporterized No.4 MKI made at Royal Ordonance Factory at Fazakerley. For the rest are some better guys here at the boards.

Regards

Gunner

To slow! Stevo made the race.

[Amatikulu]

1944 made fazakerley rifle from the information provided, It could be restored back to original configuration without too much expense

[Sgt Hannie]

What was the reason for the cut down stock? Was this a military issue rifle?

[Amatikulu]

The rifle was military issue, but the cut down stock was done after it was no longer in military service by someone who thought it was in some way better to remove a big chunk of the wood.

[Sgt Hannie]

Thank you so much for the quick replies!

What would you all do to this rifle if it were your own?

Based on the information I provided..any idea what country this one would have been issued to? I'm assuming Canada...but the gun is from three generations back and they fought in WWII for the U.S???

[Amatikulu]

I would restore it as the parts are easily come by. They aren't making any more and while it will never be worth a fortune, it should have sentimental value if it was your grandfather's.

It was IMHO the finest battle rifle of WW2

[chuck]

Looks like the end of the barrel has been cut also.

[No4Mk1(T)]

As an added point of interest the butt stock came off of a Canadian made Long Branch No4Mk1* .

Thank you so much for the quick replies!

What would you all do to this rifle if it were your own?

If the bore is in shoot able condition I’d likely just use it as is and keep it as a memento of your grand father.

Based on the information I provided..any idea what country this one would have been issued to? I'm assuming Canada...but the gun is from three generations back and they fought in WWII for the U.S???

It was most likely been issued to a British unit. The rifle was most likely bought at a surplus/hardware store to be used as a hunting rifle post war.