1943 fazakerley no.4mk.1

[enfieldman]

I have this 1943 Fazakerley No.4Mk.1 Lee Enfield in pretty decent shape with a nice shiny bore & lots of rifling. She is all matching incl. the barrel. A question about the furniture & its markings.. (1). in 1943 did ROF (F) manufacture their own furniture for No.4`s?
(2). the foreend on the bottom near the upper band has stamped 6/43,
F, and broad arrow. 6/43 is also electro penciled on the receiver..
(3). just below the middle band is a crown & N over 20 (i can`t find this
marking in any publication).
My `43 Maltby has subcontracted ( SL N over 74 ) furniture. Would like some help on the
Fazakerley furniture and its markings.. Thanks
Phil.

Information

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[Paul S.]

Mate, there were a ton of subcontractors putting out bits and pieces for everything military during the war. A mix of components and marking on them is a fact of life for them.

Most everyone shooting and collecting Enfields accepts that 'mixed bits' was a fact of life for wartime production and that if it isn't original then any rifle that earned its way in the world got used, abused and confused during its service life. We're not like the M-1 Garand mob who get their knickers in a knot over every minute detail and covet the pristine, flawless 'virgin' who never did an honest day's work.

[jmoore]

the foreend on the bottom near the upper band has stamped 6/43, F, and broad arrow. 6/43 is also electro penciled on the receiver..

The markings on the fore stock is a clue that this forestock is correct for the rifle. For whatever reason, Fazackerly dated the wood for a period of time during WWII. Fazackerly also transitioned from impression stamped markings on the receiver body to electro pencil during '43.

[Brian Dick]

Pick up a copy of "The Broad Arrow" by Ian Skennerton. It's a must have reference for manfacturer, armourer, factory codes, etc, etc. All of the information you seek is there. My copy is VERY well used.