Lee-Enfield No4 Mk1 info wanted

[umc180gr]

Greetings,

I recently purchased an Lee-Enfield No4 Mk1 and would like to know a little more about it from the experts if you can help. Where was it manufactured, etc. Thanks for any info that can provided.

Markings stamped on the receiver.
1943
AL
Serial I assume? 160XX

"SM" is on the bolt and barrel band near the muzzle. "S126" is on the other muzzle end band. It has a #0 bolt head.

 

[DougW]

It sounds like a Maltby by the serial number range. probably has the flip 300/600 rear sight, and is in pretty nice shape. There was a BUNCH of 1943 production rifles that came in from Turkey with low use on them last year. I also assume that the numbers were stamped on the butt scoket on the left side.



Here are 6 that I bought in Feb 06. All were nice, some were very nice.

 

[cracked butt]

Yep sounds like the Maltby I picked up last year.

There may or may not be a 'M' stamped on the receiver by the date as well.

 

[umc180gr]

Thanks for the info guys, cant wait to shoot it.

 

[def4pos8]

Three bolt head sizes exist to permit head space adjustments due to wear. If my Alzheimers mind can remember correctly, "0" is the original/shortest. "1" and "2", in sequence, are larger and permit reduction of headspace in used specimens.

 

[mukluk]

Three bolt head sizes exist to permit head space adjustments due to wear. If my Alzheimers mind can remember correctly, "0" is the original/shortest. "1" and "2", in sequence, are larger and permit reduction of headspace in used specimens.

You're mostly right about the bolt heads... there are actually four lengths, 0 through 3 with the number 3 being the longest. The rifles weren't all fitted with 0s when new, rather an appropriate number bolt head was fitted to suit the heaspace of that rifle.

 

[Limeyfellow]

Maltby serial number,

The S126 is a subcontractors mark who probrobly made that band. Stands for C.E. Welstead in Croydon who sometimes used C.E.W too. They are famous for making stain glass windows but in the war were changed to making gunparts. Not sure what the AL and SM are yet. Probrobly some contractors marks but I need to look them up.

Other Maltby marks it may have are R.O.F.M, R.M. or just M stamped on the rifle in various locations.

Other markings will be on the barrel under the rear handguard, on the back of the bolt handle

Congratulations on getting the finest battle bolt action rifle ever made.

Nice features is there were four different buttstock lengths. Bantam, short, regular and long. Its handy for making sure you have a good length of pull.

The boltheads were an addition to the No4 that saved having to stoneface every bolthead to the right size for headspace like what was done with the No I Mk III. It allowed just adding the right sized bolt head and allowed for easy field repairs.

They do have an excellent gas bleeding system too, decent protection for the sights and though its just a basic flip 300/600 yard sight there are many others that can be easily put on should you wish.