Help With SMLE Markings

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Ekul Luke

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Hi. I need some help identifying some of the markings on my 1943 No.4 Mk.1 Lee Enfield. I've provided pictures and any help would be appreciated.(Sorry for any wrong terminology, and crudeness of photos. I've at least tried to get the point across.)

Thanks, Luke
 
What you have is a mutt after wwii the brits used parts from bad rifles to put together good ones.
the receiver appears to be a maltby but the 4 digit serial is bsa Shirley . Maltbys have 5 digit serials. Usually bsa are marked m47c which I do not see the c. The serial block am could be either bsa or malty. Fortunately, your bolt matches the original serial. You have a mismatched magazine which is common, the 2 on the bolt head indicates probably at some point someone put a new bolt head on to cure headspace issues. Most were issued with a zero or one bolt head. The broad arrow found on several parts is a British military approval Mark. The upper band Mark is a savage s Mark, bayonet is long branch. Don't have time to look up the rest. Try milsurps.com enfield forum for the receiver and the rest. No offense but better pix will help.
 
What you have is a mutt after wwii the brits used parts from bad rifles to put together good ones.
the receiver appears to be a maltby but the 4 digit serial is bsa Shirley . Maltbys have 5 digit serials. Usually bsa are marked m47c which I do not see the c. The serial block am could be either bsa or malty. Fortunately, your bolt matches the original serial. You have a mismatched magazine which is common, the 2 on the bolt head indicates probably at some point someone put a new bolt head on to cure headspace issues. Most were issued with a zero or one bolt head. The broad arrow found on several parts is a British military approval Mark. The upper band Mark is a savage s Mark, bayonet is long branch. Don't have time to look up the rest. Try milsurps.com enfield forum for the receiver and the rest. No offense but better pix will help.
Thanks. Yeah sorry about the pictures, had to take them with a crappy IPhone camera.
 
You seem to have a bit of a puzzle on the receiver markings as they aren't complete for either Maltby or BSA Shirley. That is why I recommended the milsurps.com Enfield forum. These marks are why dedicated collectors get so enraged by people who sporterize these rifles. The various stampings tell a story to dedicated collectors and often, even on an old clapped out rifle, let collectors know of a new rare subvariant that was previously unknown. Collectors live and die on rarity and for many the ultimate goal is to have a one of a kind rifle.

I consulted Stratton's guide on the Enfields which I recommend if you are going to keep it, I believe that the B marks are for BSA Shirley or one of its contractors but not sure, The good folks at milsurps and gunboards are probably your best bet for an offbeat rifle such as yours
 
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