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    Legacy Member Darlington's Avatar
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    No4 Identification: Interesting Serial

    Hi all,

    Was chatting to local guy about a sporterized No4, it is cheap and looked like a good patient (barrel not cut etc., charger bridge might be cut though...waiting for more pics) for a debubba. I asked for a few pictures of the serials (below). They aren't the best but the original serial has been scrubbed and this new one L22309 added to both. Anybody have any ideas on this? thanks. Trying to get more/better pictures.
    Attachment 104509Attachment 104510
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    Last edited by Darlington; 12-22-2019 at 01:20 PM.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    The bolt is post-war production and had it been fitted to the rifle in British service I think we can fairly say both would have been refinished at that time.

    The stamps struck on in the careless manner typical of certain factories might be "7" and "42" for the date, and what begins under the "E" of Englandicon, may be a "FTR" mark(?)
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    Legacy Member Maxwell Smart's Avatar
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    I think that the L22309 might be the original serial. This looks to me to be a relatively early Fazakerley product - got the "A" suffix after the serial as well.

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    Agree with above two posts. Many of the wartime rifles - especially those of early production, & even more especially those produced by Fazakerley - are very haphazaedly stamped on the butt socket. I suspect this rifle was produced in 1942 & that the serial number (characteristically commencing with a '2') is original to the rifle. As surpmil points out however, the bolt is a later replacement (rounded bolt knob without a hollow or a flat).

  7. Thank You to Roger Payne For This Useful Post:


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    Legacy Member Havenot's Avatar
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    My No.5 Mk.I has a re-stamped serial number. The model markings and the old serial number were faint(probably refinished a time or so)….anyhow the re-stamp serial is the same as the old serial number which is still legible.

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    Legacy Member Brit plumber's Avatar
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    Often remarked or corrected when FTR’d due to the shot last/phosphating and suncorite painting removing the shallow electro pencilled original markings.

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    Legacy Member Darlington's Avatar
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    Got another 3 key photos that fit with what you are all saying.

    The good: The barrel is intact.
    Attachment 104627
    The great: Looks like a No4 Mk1. And on the next picture the good is you can see the bolt release.
    Attachment 104626
    The very bad: The charger bridge was cut off.
    Attachment 104628
    $125 was the price...so close. What a tragedy. No way to fix that receiver?
    Any advice?

    thanks all

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    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Darlington View Post
    No way to fix that receiver
    If you had a donor and a really good welder it could be I suppose, I wouldn't have bothered in the first place.
    Regards, Jim

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    Agreed. It's both theoretically & practically possible, but far more trouble than the rifle is worth. If you're looking for a cheap rifle to re-militarize I am sure there are better prospects out there.

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    Legacy Member Darlington's Avatar
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    Yeah what I thought...thanks for input all

    Quote Originally Posted by Roger Payneicon View Post
    Agreed. It's both theoretically & practically possible, but far more trouble than the rifle is worth. If you're looking for a cheap rifle to re-militarize I am sure there are better prospects out there.

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