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    Legacy Member ArtioZen's Avatar
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    BI / BA Numbers - A variety of variations observed on Chests for No4Ts

    Does anyone have a list with definitions of the early stores BI / BA numbers on Lee Enfield equipment?

    During a chest restoration I found a BA number(BA 6247), that I took as an early Maltby serial - seems it is actually a post war assembly number for the Transit Chest CES. When researching this I found a few other different numbers that would serve the same purpose (one for scope-less - BA 8738). More recently released from stores gear seems to have BA 10K numbers - then the change over to the longer codes

    Would these numbers be incremented for each CES / specification change to the described assembly? (hence the variety?) Can we list the applicable BA numbers with dates of usage and specifications for the No4 T family?

    Yours, Intrigued in PA.
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    Many light years ago I have the actual listings for each pre cursor, so here its is from rough pieces of info:

    Its clear that after one or two letter prefixes, the same letter prefix's were used by Maltby, Fazakerley & BSA Shirley.
    A to Z then AA, AB to AZ, then BA to BZ, CA to CZ.
    Maltby rifle serial numbers commence with a number '1', Fazakerley with a '2' and Shirley with a '3', e.g. 1xxxx for Maltby, 2xxxx for Fazakerley and for Shirley, 3xxxx, after the letter prefix.

    Suffice it to say, they definately meant something to the QM masses out there in those days who at a glance could say what was in or what was going to go in a chest after its manufacture at one of the houese of excellence.
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    Advisory Panel Lee Enfield's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by l1a1 breakdown View Post
    Does anyone have a list with definitions of the early stores BI / BA numbers on Lee Enfield equipment?

    During a chest restoration I found a BA number(BA 6247), that I took as an early Maltby serial - seems it is actually a post war assembly number for the Transit Chest CES. When researching this I found a few other different numbers that would serve the same purpose (one for scope-less - BA 8738). More recently released from stores gear seems to have BA 10K numbers - then the change over to the longer codes

    Would these numbers be incremented for each CES / specification change to the described assembly? (hence the variety?) Can we list the applicable BA numbers with dates of usage and specifications for the No4 T family?

    Yours, Intrigued in PA.
    They are merely catalogue numbers.
    I can't locate a WW2 (Pre NATO Stock #) No4 catalogue right now, but here is a link to a Webley MkIV parts list to illustrate:
    http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...0IV%201947.pdf
    BSN from the Republic of Alberta

    http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/

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    Legacy Member ArtioZen's Avatar
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    Thanks Lee Enfield! That's a great document for the Webley I hope we can turn up the No4T version. Am intrigued to see if the numbers I highlighted are for the chest or the whole ensemble.

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    Advisory Panel Lee Enfield's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by l1a1 breakdown View Post
    Thanks Lee Enfield! That's a great document for the Webley I hope we can turn up the No4T version. Am intrigued to see if the numbers I highlighted are for the chest or the whole ensemble.
    I have not seen one specific to the No4T, merely the entire No4 rifle family circa 1946 & 195x.
    BSN from the Republic of Alberta

    http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/

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    Legacy Member Alan de Enfield's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by l1a1 breakdown View Post
    Does anyone have a list with definitions of the early stores BI / BA numbers on Lee Enfield equipment?

    During a chest restoration I found a BA number(BA 6247), that I took as an early Maltby serial - seems it is actually a post war assembly number for the Transit Chest CES. When researching this I found a few other different numbers that would serve the same purpose (one for scope-less - BA 8738). More recently released from stores gear seems to have BA 10K numbers - then the change over to the longer codes

    Would these numbers be incremented for each CES / specification change to the described assembly? (hence the variety?) Can we list the applicable BA numbers with dates of usage and specifications for the No4 T family?

    Yours, Intrigued in PA.
    Every screw, washer, component was issued with a BA or BB number (catalogue number) and each catalogue number had a drawing number against it.

    I have the 1944 dated component / drawing number list for the No4 rifle.
    Any components introduced after 1944 would not be included - (eg Mk2 Action)


    Happy to email it to anyone asking.

    Screen shot example :
    Last edited by Alan de Enfield; 02-05-2020 at 04:28 AM.
    Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...

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    Legacy Member Alan de Enfield's Avatar
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    Separate section on the No4T
    Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...

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    Thanks Alan dE - I would like an electronic copy - email details by PM
    Cheers!

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