Q about "P" marked backsight.

[madcratebuilder]

Lately I have seen a few backsights for the No5 marked "P" on some of the auction sites.

Is the "P" mark for Wah Pakistan? Or is it for Poole, Dorset, UK?

I have been under the impression the the "P" mark was for Pakistan Ordnance Factory. If these No5 backsights are from Pakistan that brings up the question why were they making No5 backsights?

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[Thunderbox]

P on metal bits generally stands for Poole; No5 sights are definitely Poole.

Since I've seen POF rifles that appear to have pukka UK-made parts on them (eg walnut forends) including "P" marked parts which could be either Poole or Wah (eg front bands, sight protectors), its extremely unclear if all "P"s are Poole, or if some are Wah - or whether Poole even made parts for Wah......

[krinko]

I have a plain "P" backsight on a 1950 Fazakerley Mk1/2 conversion---it's got one of the CR numbers, too. But is this Poole?
Attachment 15393

The POF No4 rifles I have seen and the two I own, have Circled "P" backsights, which I do think are from Poole. I have this same type on other No4s and the mark matches that used by Poole on bayonets Nos. 5, 7 and 9.
Attachment 15394

Why would Poole use a plain "P" when their Circled "P" was already in use?

Also, POF parts generally have a "P" above a two digit date.

Attachment 15395

Attachment 15396

Walnut wood is mostly POF in origin----likely Turkish.
-----krinko

[madcratebuilder]

Why would Poole use a plain "P" when their Circled "P" was already in use?

That was my assumption, a circled P was Poole.