No4 MK1 ROF Fazakerley production date?

[paddywonka]

Have an all matching No4 MK1 ROF Fazakerley serial number 24450A, could anyone tell me the year of production ? The left side of the wrist is stamped ROF, what appears to be a poorly struck 40, followed by 24450A. From what I have read none were made in 1940, is this correct. There is also a single number 3 on the very upper of the left wrist. The bolt cocking knob resembles that found on early No. 1 mkIII rifles, not what you normally see on a No. 4. The cocking piece is marked "SM".
There are no FTR marks anywhere.

Information

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[Lance]

Bases on your serial number you have a 1941 production rifle from Fazakerly. In 1941 Faz assembled many non-standard No. 4's using left over Trials parts from Enfield along with their own production just to get as many rifles out the door as possible, this also resulted in some marking variations with and without dates. Post some pictures when able, my example is assembled using a left over SMLE VI receiver.

[Frederick303]

Mine is the same ROF 41 with a SMLE MK VI action body. 27899 A with A marked (Faz, likely 7899th built). The one I have seems to have had some post production work down, as the rear sight is a F marked MK I sight and a the bolt has a mid war flat cocking piece, all the other ones I have seen have MK II rear sights . Then again I suspect the one I have was restored at some point due to the lack of the expected barrel muzzle commercial proofs.

As Maltby proofed its first 25 rifles in June of 1941, Fazakerley its first 300 rifles in July of 1941 and BSA Shirley its first lot of 300 rifles in August of 1941, any 1941 dated action body rifles are kind of rare, an original as built one even more so,

[Mk VII]

There is currently an early Maltby 1941 one, #D19088, in the auction at Holts, though it has been overhauled by Fazakerly later. Still with the 'low wood' forend (misnumbered, I think).

[paddywonka]

Thanks for the info. Really had not seen a No.4 with a SMLE MK VI action body before, interesting. Usually take photos outside for better detail but, we currently have sub zero temps and 16 inches of snow here on the south shore of Lake Michigan. Soon as the weather breaks will start a new thread with full pictures of my ROF No.4, & early SM.marked cocking piece.