Odd markings on enfield magazine

[B & B ARSENAL]

Can someone shed some light on this magazine. It has quite a number of markings on it.

Any help would be greatly apprecited.

Attachment 16619Attachment 16620Attachment 16621Attachment 16622

Information

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[Thunderbox]

Indian-made magazine that started life on rifle Z2333, and was then subsequently used as an armourers' replacement on rifles 81189X and 35766Y. Looks like that mag brought bad luck for the rifles that used it.....LOL

[B & B ARSENAL]

Thanks for your response. Can you tell me what on the magazine gave the indication that it was Indian manufacture. Can you take another look at the pics. There are two other numbers (one in the center of the magazine and another to the right of 35766Y. Was this magazine also used on those two other rifles too. Why would one magazine be used for so many rifles?

[Peter Laidler]

Simple B&B. The Indian Army have a saying. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Magazines are individually fitted to ensure perfect feeding of the rounds and a tight fit. As a result, they're numbered to the rifle. If they are changed for any reason, they're renumbered.

If a magazine works loose in service, then it's put in a box with a load of others and a replacement fitted until its correct, feeds and is tight, then re-numbered. After many months, the 'always loose' magazines are taken out, a small part of the rib is cut away and a new piece brazed or silver soldered in place. When the need arises, it's filed to shape and re-fitted to another rifle. That is a chore for one of the new boys or someone who has upset the ASM (the boss of the workshop) or someone who needs bringing down a peg or two!

Another little punishment was a day spent on the Armourers test range, accuracy and range testing a few hundred No5 rifles..............................

[Thunderbox]

Thanks for your response. Can you tell me what on the magazine gave the indication that it was Indian manufacture. Can you take another look at the pics. There are two other numbers (one in the center of the magazine and another to the right of 35766Y. Was this magazine also used on those two other rifles too. Why would one magazine be used for so many rifles?

The number on the spine is just a repeat of the original number - 2333. The "3577" looks like someone was restamping the "37566" number, but abandoned it when they did the second "7" by mistake...

The "FD over 7R" and "IS over TD" marks are typical 1950s Indian inspection marks found on most Ishapore No1 components.

[841NER]

Another little punishment was a day spent on the Armourers test range, accuracy and range testing a few hundred No5 rifles..............................

Ha...I must be masachistic...I spent hundreds 'punishing' myself.