ZF paranoia

[Seafury]

I purchased a 1943 Long Branch No4 mk1 back in the early 90's. Recently much to my discomfort I discovered what the meaning of the dreaded ZF stamp on the but meant. I've read the threads on this and I was very concerned about shooting this rifle again. The other day I came upon a 1945 No 4 mk1 and purchased it. I had a discussion with the owner about my other rifle a knowledgeable collector who shared with me what the (F) FTR marking meant and it has me thinking that this rifle was not condemned only sent for a "Factory Through Repair" at Fazakerly. It has a #2 bolt head and headspaces well inside of tolerance. Here are a few photos for interest. Something to note is that the 1945 rifle has no serial number etched on it. It is in very nice condition.

Information

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[Alan de Enfield]

An extract from ZF by Peter Laidler ;

Now, the mystery of the ZF butts on ‘good’ rifles. I’ll ask you the obvious question with a statement first. Do YOU or your gunsmith have the gauging and examination kit that we have at even the lowest echelon unit Armourers shop? I doubt it but you never know… So the question is ‘just how do YOU know that the butt has been changed? The answer is that you don’t. Try to understand when I read constantly that the ZF butt has been changed! If it has, then remove the bloody ZF and be done with it. But don't let it stand there chuckling at you like a set of Christmas lights.
Jona is NEARLY right about us using our kit over again. When your rifle goes back to Ordnance as a ‘scrapper (or a ZF in Armourers language ……get it…., it’s that word again…?) it is disposed of by torch or gulllotine as a whole complete unit or sale as scrap to some dealer who wants to earn a fast buck. Some parts are cannibalized and returned to store but they go through a RSSD, attached to a REME workshops – again! That’s a ‘returned stores sub-depot’ for you non Armourers, where the parts are examined, tumbled etc etc etc parkerised and painted to new condition and re-packaged, returned to the shelf and re-issued in the fullness of time with the packaging marked PW (for Part Worn). That’s where we get our reconditioned engines and refurbished Bren gun butt slide assemblies, right down to foresight protector screws. But all ASSEMBLIES, and major parts, like Bren barrels, breech blocks and the like are re-packaged and it is made clear on the packaging that they are re-worked parts. They are sent out again like NEW. Can you imagine a reworked butt being sent through the system still bearing the ZF paint on it. Just think of the confusion…………… Come on!

[browningautorifle]

Or, you can always shoot it with a clear conscience, and then when it comes apart...well, who'd have known? Or even guessed for that matter?

[Peter Laidler]

It ain't paranoia sea fury but just plain, simple fact. But at the end of the day, it's your rifle and as BAR says in thread 3, you can shoot it if you want.

[Enfield Novice]

As I read all of the threads such as this I had a couple of questions about the process that was used. Lets assume that the OPs rifle was deemed "ZF" and is today still in the original configuration that first warranted the "ZF" stamp. So what would have been the process for that ZF? Breaking the rifle into the component parts then the most obvious item to me (a Novice) would be the receiver and if that were bad then the receiver would be stamped ZF. I guess it would depend on the location and spares available and of course whether in war or peace, but would the parts that could be salvaged and re-used be stamped ZF as well? I mean was the practice to just mark ZF on the stock and not the metal and send the whole thing along? From what I have read here (thanks all you for the info) I look at what is on the receiver and barrel to see if the dreaded marks are there. The problem today is that one look on any auction site will turn up dozens of stocks clean or stamped FTR or painted rings. Which makes you wonder where is the rest of the rifle? So there is the opportunity to have a perfectly good unmarked rifle with a painted or ZF stock put on by people who may need a shorter or longer stock. It all makes for a difficult time for a buyer. So should one pass on a rifle just because of the wood alone being marked? Would the whole rifle be sold as scrap just bearing the butt mark alone? I know it is up to each individual to make the choice but the mix and match stuff is making it harder. Still the more education we get from the experts here definitely will make us all safer. Thanks again

[Father Ted]

If it wasn't so complicated to ship rifles about, Peter could earn a princely sum doing a once a year Zimbabwe Forces inspection.

[ssj]

It has no serial number? I think I read somewhere that canadian receivers were made but left un-numbered? Then looking at that one pic suggests its in great condition (can you show us more pics?). So Im wondering if its an asembly of bits and one just happens to be off a ZF'd gun? I mean Ive seen so many really bad guns at auctions here in NZ that look utterly buggered that a picture of a good looking by comparison one makes me do a double take.

[browningautorifle]

The serial number would be on the socket...and might have been polished off. But Canadian guns had numbers...

[Peter Laidler]

If you read all of the threads relating to this saga Enfiueld Novice, you'll see that all of your Q's have already been answered. The reason that it is marked in xxxxxxg big letters on the butt is so that everyone can see it. If a Land Rover was to be scrapped because it had a broken chassis, they wouldn't paint 'CAST' on the chassis............. No, the paint it in xxxxxxg great letters on the drivers windscreen so everyone can see it. And guess what........... like the butt, the windscreen is still perfect!

Believe me, when you have the gauges and the experience, you can always see the reason for the weapon being ZF'd. Tell them Brian..........

[Son]

There is a chance that your rifle was built up from parts by somebody who didn't know what ZF means... hmm, would you really like to trust him?
Is your good health and well being worth less to you than the couple of hundred dollars invested in the rifle?
Maybe you can stop using it just before it has a failure?

All tongue in cheek... but seriously, if you are going to fire it, have the decency to advise those around you on the range that your rifle has been condemned by a master armourer... You might be surprised by the reactions you get!

Regards,
Brad.