Need some general info about what to look for...

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tsellati	Need some general info about what to look for...	Lead	[-]
Posts: 169 (11/15/07 01:30 AM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None My local gun shop has a 1944 dated Enfield No. 4 Mk.1 rifle for $299. It looks like the stock has its original finish and some minor dings and dents. The rifle is non-import marked, but I am unsure of whether it is all-matching or not. Not being familiar with these rifles, but wanting to pick one up in its correct WWII military configuration, I would like to learn what to look for. What parts should be serial numbered, what other stamps on the metal and stock should I look for? How do I tell where the rifle was manufactured, Long Branch, Malthby (?), Fazarkely (?), Savage, etc.? Thanks for the education. Tim
limpetmine		#1	[-]
Posts: 19 (11/15/07 09:52 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	If it is a No. 4 Mk I, and NOT a No. 4 Mk I*, and it is dated 1944, it will NOT be a Savage or Long Branch. It would be a BSA, a Maltby or Fazarkely. BSA, M47C, F, respectively. (IIRC, BSA might not have been producting then-somebody help!) Look for a matching bolt. That is a MAJOR plus, but not a reason to NOT buy a nice Enfield. Look for a matching magazine. Again, a plus, but by no means a reason to NOT buy a nice rifle. A wartime rilfe will be worn, with dings and bruses. To be expected. Check the bore, and muzzle. As I'm more collector than shooter now, bore condition is secondary to me on most purchases. Just me, you might think otherwise. The forestocks were numbered, then they stopped, and started again. During 1944, I think that procedure had stopped. Look for the wear patterns on the rifle, to see if they are consistant with a rifle being together for 60 years, not one that has been apart and back together again. (a bitster). For me, and for that price, it should be an exceptional piece, with a matching bolt. Your best bet would be to drop $100.00 on Ian Skinnertons new Lee-Enfield book! Good luck, post your rifle pics later.
Ed Novak		#2	[-]
Posts: 1524 (11/15/07 11:17 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	No.4, Mk.1* will be a Long Branch with an 'L' in the serial number or a Savage with a 'C' in the serial number. No.4, Mk.1 will be a Maltby, Fazakerly or BSA; their serial numbers may be more difficult as the numbers were assigned in "blocks" for production - I've lost my web-site for the numbers but I know that someone will have the site reference. Furniture may/may not be stamped with a serial number; same for the magazine. $299 is at the very high end of what I would consider paying for an excellent and all matching but used rifle - that price approaches the price of a VG contract all-matching rifle but not an unissued all-matching No.4. Absolute requirement at that $299 price would be a VG+ rifle with original matching bolt and receiver numbers (not force-matched bolt/receiver numbers) and excellent metal and wood. Matching serial numbers on the wood and/or magazine are nice but not terribly important except on contract rifles IMHO.
DibsInNH		#3	[-]
Posts: 4 (11/16/07 10:04 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	tsellati, I'm not an expert (nor do I play one on TV). However, there are a few websites that I've found to be very helpful in deciphering the markings on Enfields. Here are a few: http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/ http://freespace.virgin.net/j.franklin/toys/serial_numbers.htm http://home.earthlink.net/~smithkaia8/index.html If I understood you correctly, you wanted to know how to identify a matching rifle. Below are photos of my 1943 dated Maltby #4, Mk I. As you can see, the # on the bolt is located on the bolt handle. This number matches up with the serial# on the left side of the rifle. I'm not sure but I think that the barrel bands are supposed to match as well. However, mine don't. Anyone else willing to jump in can do so. Good luck and, above all, have fun! Jim