Mint 1942 Maltby with extras

[rayg]

Not too many of these around anymore, it's like a time capsule. When I got the rifle it was full of cosmolene but a few years ago I had sold it to a buddy and he had cleaned the cosmo out of it but didn't fire it yet. Well it's back with me on a trade as he came to the range intending on shooting it and I talked him out of it before he did.
The rifle has a war expedient, rear sight, cocking piece and safety. It has no import or Brit proof stamps and a Large FNR stamped in the stock. I was advised the first time I had it, FNR was for Felixstowe Naval Reserve. Felixstowe is a port town on the East coast of England in the county of Suffolk I've been advised.

The rifle now is adorned with a mint, and unused 1914 pattern, 1940 dated, leather sling that I found at a gun show a couple of months ago. The sling is stamped," Cliff. Walsall 1940", and the number "134 over a Broad arrow". The rifle also is now complete with an original cruciform Singer bayonet with a matching scabbard. Both the scabbard and bayonet are covered in a heavy aged black paint however the stamping No. 4. Mk 1, over SM, is still lightly visible under the paint.
Kind of a nice early Enfield kit, Ray


Attachment 45810Attachment 45811Attachment 45812Attachment 45813Attachment 45814Attachment 45815Attachment 45816Attachment 45817Attachment 45818

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.

[rayg]

The sling

Attachment 45819Attachment 45820Attachment 45821Attachment 45822

[Peter Laidler]

I would very much doubt that FNR stood for Felixtowe N Res. Don't ask me what it is, but it's not that as the Naval reserves were usually shore based 'ships'. You'd occasionally see rifles and Lanchesters with the ship code letters such as D-47 or P-30 stamped into the butts or on a disc fixed to the landyard loops on their old .38's. Never meant anything to us but the Naval Ord depots knew who's was who

Sling would be webbing

[rayg]

I would very much doubt that FNR stood for Felixtowe N Res. Don't ask me what it is, but it's not that as the Naval reserves were usually shore based 'ships'. You'd occasionally see rifles and Lanchesters with the ship code letters such as D-47 or P-30 stamped into the butts or on a disc fixed to the landyard loops on their old .38's. Never meant anything to us but the Naval Ord depots knew who's was who

Sling would be webbing

Well I have no idea what it stands for, only that's what I was told. My first thought when I got it, is that it came in through Canada because of no Brit import or proof marks. So maybe a unit from there. As far as the sling, I just needed a rifle to put it on. Actually the sling is 48" in length not the 43-1/2 of the pattern 14. It was probably made for a Long Lee called up for duty during WWII. Ray

[rayg]

Also, I know the sling on it would normally be a canvas one but because the rifle is a War expedient product, at least some parts, I thought, it might be ok to use a war expedient sling for the rifle. Besides, I paid $15 for the sling and didn't want to waste all that money, , Ray

[WarPig1976]

Jeezzz Peter, just **** in Ray's Cheerios would ya.!!

[Thunderbox]

Interesting how similar that "FNR" is to the much-debated and mysterious "FR"".....

- same font,
- same size,
- more or less usual position on side of butt...


I wonder if FNR is a full version of FR? Interesting...

[Peter Laidler]

But upside down..........

[rayg]

Also there is no sign of any arsenal rework as every thing, metal and wood and bore, appear to be brand new and unused on it. No old dings, scratches or dents visible under the finish. Just a thought and Peter would probably know, but wouldn't they replace some of the war expedient parts if it went in at a later time for a redo. Ray

[rayg]

I just read in Stratton's book that the 3rd pattern war expedient cock was deemed unsafe and were replaced on most rifles. Mine does not half cock so I assume it must be the 3rd pattern.
And if so, I would think it would have been replaced in a redo, Ray