mystery - No. 4 Mk. I

[raskolnik]

The more I look up the markings on this No. 4 I just acquired, the less I know. So I'm turning to the forum.

First, there's an "FR" on the stock, which I've seen can mean a few different things. The buttplate looks like Zamak rather than brass (e.g. compared to my No. 1).

The left side of the ring just above the trigger has the following:

N
12--- (5-digit number)
AN15-- (AN followed by 4 digits)

Then a little ways below that is two horizontal lines, almost like an equal sign (top line is a little longer, and is even with the top of the letters), and ".T.R"

It's marked as a No. 4 Mk. I, but it has Mk. II sights. There're a couple of the crown stamps, one just above the Nock's form and another on the bolt handle.

The bottom of the stock, just behind the trigger guard (so where the shooting hand would rest) has these:

M
(crown image)
T (rotated 90 degrees)
T

On the bit of the barrel that extends past the forestock, there's what looks like an "X" or crosshatch or something. Then it says ".303 2 22" " ... on the next line it says "18 (high dot) 5 TONS"

The barrel crown has a tiny (3mm or so) section that's threaded.

I can try to do pictures, but I only have a cell phone so it doesn't share details well. I'd appreciate any information y'all may have.

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.

[Hal O'Peridol]

Posting pictures my friend, would surely help us out a lot.

[Son]

The last bit, on the end of the barrel are civilian proofs, calibre .303 chamber length 2.22" and test pressure 18.5 tons per square inch...

[raskolnik]

Posting pictures my friend, would surely help us out a lot.

I realize that, but as I said with only a cell phone I can't get details really. Especially since a lot of these are fairly faint/worn. I'll see what I can do....

Edit: here's one showing some of the markings: imgur: the simple image sharer

Attachment 39918
(Click PIC to Enlarge)

[raskolnik]

Here's a picture that the guy I got it from took, which shows some of the markings on the rearmost ring (don't remember the technical name for it): imgur: the simple image sharer

[Roger Payne]

Hmmm. It is a little odd. It's only my gut instinct having seen a few No4's over the years, but it looks like a BSA Shirley rifle to me; the machining, the type of finish etc. This would also fit in with a serial number starting 'AN' & followed by four numeric digits; in fact it would make it a 43 BSA rifle. As others have said though, some close ups would be nice - have you got a pal with a decent camera?

The other thing that might be helpful would be to take off the woodwork & have a look at the barrel markings. I would not be surprised at all if you see a 'B' on it somewhere, together with a 43 date (assuming it's the original barrel, of course).....

ATB

[tlvaughn]

It looks like the original serial number was "N 12161" which would make it a 1942 Maltby. It is hard to tell from the pic, but the back sight is either a Mk3 or Mk4, not a Mk2. The "TR" on the butt socket actually looks like "FTR" to me - Factory Thorough Repair.

[raskolnik]

It looks like the original serial number was "N 12161" which would make it a 1942 Maltby. It is hard to tell from the pic, but the back sight is either a Mk3 or Mk4, not a Mk2. The "TR" on the butt socket actually looks like "FTR" to me - Factory Thorough Repair.

"FTR" would make sense. Also, the sights are specifically labelled "Mk. II" .... I'll look at getting at the barrel markings later today.

[Roger Payne]

I'm speaking from memory now (which often fails me!), but so far as I can recall early (41/42 era) Maltby rifles never had the machined 'flat' on the receiver sidewall just behind the receiver ring. It is shown most clearly in your photo. Amongst UK production rifles it is found on both ROF Faz & BSA rifles, but NOT those from ROF Maltby. Not sure if they started using it later as my interest is mainly in T's which were only converted from early production Maltby rifles, before H&H started using BSA rifles exclusively for conversion into snipers. Regardless of the serial number that rifle just shouts BSA Shirley at me.

But you may well be right.....!

ATB

P.S. Just had another look at the photo. The 'AN' number is very lightly engraved below the very much deeper & hand stamped number, but I don't think I'm imagining it - I'm sure there's a number there.....

[raskolnik]

P.S. Just had another look at the photo. The 'AN' number is very lightly engraved below the very much deeper & hand stamped number, but I don't think I'm imagining it - I'm sure there's a number there.....

There is, I just didn't reproduce it in my post.