Fazakerley No.4Mk.1 `43

[enfieldman]

Hi; i am looking at a 1943 Fazakerley No.4Mk.1 with intent to buy??
The left side of receiver is electro=stenciled ROF (F) 6/43
The left butt socket has electro-stenciled EA 21xxxA Serial Number
Bolt is matching and is also electro-stenciled.
Could these markings ( stenciling ) be correct for this rifle?
I have looked at Stratton & Skennerton but cannot find clear evidence
that EA is a correct prefix for a 1943 Fazakerley...
Help Please!!!!! Thanks, Phil.

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.

[jmoore]

The "2" beginning the serial number IS the code for Fazackerly, so no dramas there! Electro pencil isn't wrong either. If it's "bright" or even brown in the letters that's better still.

Here's a bit later rifle:



Usually the fore stocks are dated near the front bottom on rifles of this vintage.

[enfieldman]

Hi Again;
In regard to my previous thread, just posted--
Is there a problem with `A` suffixed Faz. No.4`s??
I mean are they worth buying and are they safe to fire??
The one i intend?? to buy is in VG++ condition to look at.
But i have not fired it! Is there a drawback and should i stay
away from this rifle and look elsewhere?? Thanks, Phil.

[jmoore]

They're pretty much all "A" suffixed in this time period. So that's not a worry.

Condition will determine safety. That and the user...

---------- Post added at 08:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 AM ----------

Here' a 6/43 example that has had the S/N "refreshed" by impression stamps. If you look just above the new number the faint outline of the electropencil markings can be seen- same number though:

(This one's also been painted. The markings on the receiver body flat are filled in with white marking "stuff". The first example retains it's factory finish.)

[nwptrains]

Attachment 36209Heres a picture of the markings on my 11/43 Fazakerley No.4Mk.1 . Its been FTR and you can barely see the original markings

[Peter Laidler]

Illegible markings were a trait of all of Fazakerley products. You could be sure that after bead blasting, phosphating and then painting that a good percentage of the Fazakerley stuff would have obliterated numbers. No4's, Mk5 Stens and Sterling SMG's were all the same. If you couldn't find the correct number from the paperwork or some rifles had been written off/scrapped for other reasons, you had to retain the 'lost numbered' weapons at the workshops as 'unaccountable War Office Controlled Stores' or WOCS for short period until a special new number from a recorded batch could be issued (from the War Office in London). And only then could it be engraved on the weapon and it returned to the unit where the quartermaster would have to re-account for the 'new' rifle........., or at least, the new number commencing ZZxxxx or SAxxAxxxxx

[jmoore]

Attachment 36209Heres a picture of the markings on my 11/43 Fazakerley No.4Mk.1 . Its been FTR and you can barely see the original markings

And that is a good example of the "'lost numbered'"/'special new number' FTR as described by Peter Laidler above.