Serial number locations on martini enfields

[green]

Production serial number is on front of body concealed by fore end and on rear sight.

[Ridolpho]

My oldest and most original Martini (a Mark I) has many matching numbers on a variety of parts, in addition to the barrel and front of the body. My Mk II and III don't and I've always wondered if they simply have had replacement parts added over their lives or if the numbering standards changed with time or from factory to factory. I have all the books (I think) and can't recall seeing any mention of the practices. Same with Sniders- I have some (particularly Enfield factory conversions) that have matching numbers on barrel, shoe, block, breech tang (plug), extractor, breech block locking pin, and rear sight leaf. Some of my Sniders lack stamps on some of these parts but, again, I have no idea if it relates to changing practices with time or at different factories or replacement of parts either during or post service. However, I think I can say with some certainty that either serial or assembly numbers were well in use by the start of Snider conversions (1866).

Ridolpho

[mrclark303]

It does seem that prior to the first Long Lees, the key identifier was the butt Roundel.

Serial numbers really do appear to be primarily assembly numbers for manufacturing proposes and documentation.