1949 Mk2 Production Start Date?

[Alan de Enfield]

Apologies if this is totally wrong.
I'm sure I remember reading / hearing that Faz suplied batches of rifles to Parker Hale to do whatever conversions they wanted.

These batches of serial numbers have appeared totally out of sequence with stndard Faz production numbers.

Anyone else remember anything ?

[madcratebuilder]

Stratton shows the change from MkI to Mk2 at 01/1949 PF 8XXXX.

Serial numbers are not sequential to build date.
PF330386=11/54
PF338799=01/55
PF369065=09/53

Possibly certain 'blocks' of numbers were assigned to certain contracts and built out of sequence?

[krinko]

"Possibly certain 'blocks' of numbers were assigned to certain contracts and built out of sequence?"

Absolutely. And this would apply to the Parker-Hale rifles as well.

There may be Mk2 rifles earlier than May 1949, but I doubt regular production started in January-----there would be thosands of the buggers and they just don't show up anywhere.
Also, Skennerton has speculated about an "overlap" of Mk1/Mk2 production, but that hasn't shown, either.

This thread would be an opportunity to whip out any rifles that would make either case.
-----krinko

PS. I had Stratton's book on the SMLE, but I used a yellow highlighter on the parts I knew to be wrong and the book looked jaundiced---I was forced to "put it down", so to speak.

[Strangely Brown]

My own No 4 MkII (10/49) PF406534 part of a Parker-Hale numbered batch which are distinguishable by "Ball Burnished" barrels.

Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley
No 4 Mk II Production Serial Numbers

These are some notes collacted by myself and another forum member concerning No4 MkII's which I hasten to add are still being worked on:


"Looking at the large number of late Mk1s/early Mk2s coming out of South Africa with govt property stamps on them, perhaps we can pencil in PF 100000 as the first Mk2, and PF 100000 to - say - PF 120000 as "South Africa"......?

PF 100000 PF 120000 South Arica?
PF 118000 PF 217999 N/K 100,000 Start of Mk II Production.
PF 218000 PF 219799 N/K 1800
PF 219799 PF 275947 N/K 56,148
PF 225948 PF 250947 N/K 25,000

Circa 1951/52

PF 250948 PF 301547 British Army 50,600
PF 301548 PF 304047 Sudanese Order 2499
PF 304048 PF 309347 N/K 5300
PF 309348 PF 359347 Irish Republic 49,999 ?
PF 359348 PF 359747 N/K 400
PF 359748 PF 359817 Zambia 469
PF 359818 PF 359852 Singapore 34
PF 359953 PF 360052 Kingston 99
PF 360053 PF 360202 Trinidad 149
PF 360203 PF 360238 St Vincent 35
PF 360239 PF 360258 St Kitts 19
PF 360259 PF 360459 War Office ? 200
(21 missing numbers)
PF 360480 PF 361159 Uganda 679
PF 361160 PF 361259 Parker Hale 99
PF 361028 10/53
PF 361280 PF 401086 Burma 39,806
PF 401087 PF 401495 No 4 (T) Rifles ? 408
PF 401496 PF 404156 N/K 2661
PF 401157 PF 404206 Parker Hale 3049
PF 404207 PF 405392 N/K 1186
PF 405393 PF 405412 St Vincent 19

Circa 1954

PF 405413 PF 405512 N/K 100
PF 405513 PF 405712 Admiralty 100
PF 405713 PF 405812 N/K 100"

[madcratebuilder]

PS. I had Stratton's book on the SMLE, but I used a yellow highlighter on the parts I knew to be wrong and the book looked jaundiced---I was forced to "put it down", so to speak.

Stratton published in 92 so I would assume his info was pretty much acquired by 91. Forward twenty years and add the internet for the exchange of information it's not unusual for much of the book to be 'out dated'

[krinko]

"Looking at the large number of late Mk1s/early Mk2s coming out of South Africa with govt property stamps on them, perhaps we can pencil in PF 100000 as the first Mk2, and PF 100000 to - say - PF 120000 as "South Africa"......?

Mick,
Your pencilling agrees with the rifle that's coming---PF 100898 and Seth Efrikin marked. Still a week and a half until I can take it home...bah.
-----krinko