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  1. #31
    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    Yes, I think you've probably nailed it there - I was forgetting that Rose Bros. were in Gainsborough.

    But it's also quite possible that this is a letter code for another foundry that gives no clue to its name or location, which was the purpose of such codes after all; "JG" and "N92" being the obvious examples.


    Quite likely the Indian divisions "overseas" took their weapons back with them at the end of the war, it would have been a simple way of getting rid of the stuff while giving them an update over the weaponry they had before WWII.

    No doubt their small arms, including No4(T)s were issued from the same sources as what the Canadians for example received, and therefore the same potpourri of manufacturers.

    IIRC there's photographic evidence of No4s on issue in India by 1944/45, though can't be sure about formations without checking.
    Last edited by Surpmil; 06-23-2020 at 11:53 AM.
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

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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.
     

  4. #32
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    Roger Payne's Avatar
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    It could be a different foundry, but the castings marked with the GF do not look any different to me to those made by Rose Brothers that do not bear the GF. However, I have never made any proper study of them, but they appear to be 'run of the mill' RB products. I suppose it could be that RB provided the tools, including molds, for a subcontractor, or perhaps a subcontractor did some of the machining of the castings. And sometimes, manufacturer's add certain markings to only a specific percentage of what they make. I've sometimes mused (what a sad life I lead!) why Rose didn't mark their castings with their officially allocated factory code, in the same way that Dalgleish were allocated N92; presumably RB would have been allocated a code starting with M followed by a number as Gainsborough lies in the north east corner of the Midlands. Yet they didn't, they seem to have marked a few brackets with the roundel containing R B G single digit number, or more commonly JG or KD. Again, it's only speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised if the latter two aren't the initials of two of the inspectors working at the factory.

    Someone will probably turn up some documents next week confirming beyond any doubt that GF means Gujarat Forces......

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    Legacy Member Alan de Enfield's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Roger Payneicon View Post
    .........… presumably RB would have been allocated a code starting with M followed by a number as Gainsborough lies in the north east corner of the Midlands.
    M632 = Rose Brothers
    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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  9. #34
    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    Without digging out my copy of the Little Green Book, someone remind us of what "JG" stood for and why "M632" doesn't appear on their brackets?
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

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  10. #35
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    That's what I was getting at.......why Rose Brothers never did use their allocated factory code, unlike Dalgleish (N92), rather just using the JG or KD marks. AFAIK nobody knows for sure what they stand for, but I rather wonder if they may be the initials of inspectors there.....though I have not a shred of evidence to back that up. If anyone knows for sure please chime in!

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  12. #36
    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    Next question: how common a practice was it for contractors to leave off their code markings?

    Or was it done in this case as someone thought soldiers might be confused by the "M632"? Seems improbable, but not impossible.

    Or was it actually Rose Bros. at all who made them? Things have been known to change after contracts are issued...
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

    Much changes, much remains the same.

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  14. #37
    Legacy Member Giove's Avatar
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    Is this the Belgian mark?

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  16. #38
    Contributing Member Seaforth72's Avatar
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    Yes, the circular mark appears to be a Belgian mark. I had the same mark on a Long branch No. 4 Mk. I* (T) in the same position. That rifle had the metal refinished in the grey such as the Belgians are known to have used. A similar monogram mark was used for Liege years ago on firearms.

    The "K B" marking s found on some Long Branch made rifles and appears to be a 1945 marking, probably by an inspector.

    The "16" is likely a rack number for use by the storesman. I have not seem such a marking in this location before.

    Your example appears to be on a Canadianicon made Long Branch. Can you tell us the rifle's serial number?
    Colin MacGregor Stevens https://www.captainstevens.com [B]Model 1918 scope ideally w P14 rings; LB Scout Sniper Rifle windmill sight & furniture; No. 4 Mk. I* 28L0844; any rifle with S/N ASE-xxxx ; No.32 Mk. I SN 1042.

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  18. #39
    Legacy Member Giove's Avatar
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    Thank you Seaforth.

    The fore-end is the only Canadianicon part of the rifle.

    The rifle is a 1944 BSA.

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