+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Lee Enfield identification question

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member mackwag's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Last On
    07-30-2020 @ 06:50 AM
    Location
    George, Western Cape, South Africa
    Posts
    3
    Real Name
    Garth
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:09 PM

    Lee Enfield identification question

    Hi, I am a new member and have some questions about dating the place and date of manufacture of a No. 4 Mk 2 303.
    There are no markings on the barrel or action that indicate when or where made. On the LH side of the receiver are markings that were made with an electric vibrating engraving tool. Top line reads: No 4MK 2 (F). Second line is: 2/50 PF 177932. The "PF" is 'enclosed' in an open-ended box (open end towards the rest of what seems to be the serial number). This number is also engraved on the bottom of the magazine, which has an 'F' over a '47' on the cartridge follower.
    Rifle is in excellent condition and seems to never have been fired. Virtually no 'dings' on the wood and bolt face is unmarked.
    On butt stock behind trigger guard is "F50". Under that is a crown that is slightly defaced with a "I8" (as well as I could determine and under the crown a broad arrow and a "42".
    The front stock also has (in the front) the serial number "PF 177932" stamped on the underside with a broad arrow over a '50' below it. To the rear of the barrel band on the underside of the stock is a crown above a broad arrow and a '28'.
    I would welcome any advice I can get about the rifle. I have a Mk 111 made by BSA and a No 4 Mk 1 made by Long Branch, but the markings on the Mk 2 just confuse me.
    Thanks, Garth
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    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.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel
    Roger Payne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Last On
    03-20-2024 @ 06:05 AM
    Location
    Sutton Coldfield, UK.
    Posts
    3,429
    Real Name
    Roger Payne
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:09 PM
    Hello Garth, & welcome to the forum. I'm sorry I'm probably not the best person to respond but as nobody else has yet taken the bait, I will! Your rifle was made at the Royal Ordnance Factory Fazackerley, which is in Liverpool, UKicon. Their markings are typically shallow, & made with electric pencils (apart from on earlier WW2 rifles, where they were stamped). The 2/50 indicates that the rifle was built in February 1950, & the various 'F' markings on components indicate Fazackerley manufacture. The markings situated under the crowns are probably examiner's identifying marks, but the digits after the letters 'F' generally indicate the year of manufacture of that particular part. The PF prefixed serial number is also appropriate for a post WW2 Fazackerley produced rifle.

    Hope this helps a little.
    Last edited by Roger Payne; 01-22-2020 at 12:40 PM. Reason: addendum

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Legacy Member Daan Kemp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last On
    Today @ 08:54 AM
    Location
    Centurion RSA
    Age
    73
    Posts
    1,392
    Real Name
    Daan Kemp
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:09 PM
    Pictures would make it very easy to decide.

    Sounds like one of the ex SADF rifles sold to members before the new government took over. Should have a bayonet with it.

  6. #4
    Legacy Member mackwag's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Last On
    07-30-2020 @ 06:50 AM
    Location
    George, Western Cape, South Africa
    Posts
    3
    Real Name
    Garth
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:09 PM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks for the help. I agree that it was probably ex-SADF stock that was never issued, but the dealer I bought it from probably kept the bayonet. I was a bit confused since I was accustomed to the war-time numbering that usually had 5 digits (plus prefix if needed) but this number was 6 digits - I have since learned that this was typical of post-war models.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. No.5 Mk.1 11/44 Identification Question
    By shortusaf in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 07-27-2019, 11:38 AM
  2. Enfield No4 Mk1 Identification Help
    By Sparkybond007 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 07-01-2017, 07:12 PM
  3. Identification Question
    By mausernut in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 02-06-2016, 09:26 AM
  4. Enfield Identification
    By Enfield_Fan in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 07-09-2012, 11:53 PM
  5. Enfield identification
    By redheep in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 12-02-2010, 05:06 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks