Need help to identify an Enfield No4 MKI

[Flying10uk]

My very original U.K. produced No4 MK2 (U.K. deactivated) has a painted finish and it hasn't been refinished or refurbished.

[krinko]

A No4 Mk2 should be painted.

Here's a 1954 Fazakerley above a 1944 BSA. The FAZ is painted, the Beezer is blued.




-----krinko

[Brian Dick]

The use of phosphate, (Parkerizing), and baked paint became the norm at some point in 1944 in British service. The Sten Mk.V being the first factory produced weapon to sport that finish if memory serves. Subsequent new production and FTR weapons received the phosphate and Suncorite "rustproofing" from that point on as it was phased into production facilities. I've seen a very few '45 BSA No.4Mk.1 rifles that were still blued so it wasn't an immediate process.

[Peter Laidler]

It was very definitely a phased in process during manufacture in 1944. Far better and more durable than the old controlled corrosion process of before and a zillion times better than the commercial blueing process generally continued by BSA and the other commercial manufacturers.

The old controlled corrosion or browning that Armourers used to do ceased post war when the large workshops became equipped with the 'new' phosphating facilities. The old blued No4's that were still sploshing around in the system had to be thoroughly bead blasted and cleaned prior to the hot phosphate dip as it would never take if there was a trace of the old blueing. This was highlighted in the immediate post war Armourers Instructions that dealt with the introduction of the 'new' phosphate and paint regime.

I knew old Armourers that could still do the Browning/blacking process but it was a long old job and even by the 60's some of the chemicals were highly controlled. My boss in NZ was a master at it and all of his tools were done too. Jock was one of those bosses who still rolled his sleeves up and worked on the bench!

[Flying10uk]

My No4 MK1* Long Branch is blued but with a Parked mag; I'm inclined to think that the blue on this rifle is original but not certain. Did Long Branch stick to blueing No4s for all of the production or did they too switch to phosphate/paint?

Thanks Brian and Peter for your clarification and input into this topic.

[Brian Dick]

Long Branch used the Dulite blue process into the 1950's when the finish was changed to phosphate at some point in the 93L serial number range. A mixture of blue and Parkerized parts is not uncommon throughout production after 1950 but the major assemblies will all be phosphate. Many wartime rifles were Parkerized during later FTR programs too so you'll find those rifles in the mix too. Canada never adopted the Suncorite paint finish.