No4 serial Number

[Singer B]

I just received this No4. The paperwork says it is a Mk II . It came in a Big 5 box listing the original sale price as $139.99. It appears that the rifle has not been fired since it was placed in the box (lots of dust, all of the lubricants have solidified into sludge, moving parts difficult to move, etc.). The serial number listed on the box matches the number on the receiver above the import mark, but there is a different number on the left wrist. Can anyone advise why there are 2 numbers and which one is the actual serial number? Thank you for you assistance.

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Information

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[Singer B]

Also, can someone please advise what the this attachment below the front barrel band is for? Thanks again!

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[Alan de Enfield]

The "CC" number on the buttsocket is the original manufacturers serial number.

It was manufactured by Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley (Nr Liverpool England)
It has an "A" suffix which shows that somewhere on the rifle is a non-standard part which had to be hand fitted.
The Fazakerley quality control was not good so things like 'holes drilled out the wrong size' was not unusual.

The 'number' on the side of the body was probably a serial number issued by the importer who didn't know where to look for the 'proper' number.

[Singer B]

Thank you sir! Any ideas reference the the attachment below the muzzle?

[limpetmine]

This is a Turk stacking rod. Don't remove it! These rifles are getting rare and hard to find. It is direct provenance of where your rifle has been. Great price. Great find!!
PS, as you know, it's not a Mk 2. It's a Mk 1.

Thank you sir! Any ideas reference the the attachment below the muzzle?

[Singer B]

This is a Turk stacking rod. Don't remove it! These rifles are getting rare and hard to find. It is direct provenance of where your rifle has been. Great price. Great find!!
PS, as you know, it's not a Mk 2. It's a Mk 1.

Thanks! I have it reassembled and after a lot of cleaning and a lot of lubricant it functions correctly now. I confirmed the trigger is hanging from the trigger guard. She isn't the prettiest No 4 I have ever seen, but she has some history.

[Bindi2]

That device is a non British Military modification used as a piling swivel to stack rifles in groups of 3 standing up.

[Roger Payne]

Agree with Bindi. I'm not sure, but suspect I may have read somewhere that the Turks used them.

[CINDERS]

I'd have a gecko at the draws as in pic #2 there is a longitudal crack heading forwards in front of the tie plate, may be nothing but still worth having a look.

[Parashooter]

I just received this No4. The paperwork says it is a Mk II . . .

The tie-plate and receiver marking "No4 Mk1 ROF(F)" indicate this rifle is a Mk1, not a Mk2.