New No. 4 MKII

[Mustang51]

I again gave in to my addiction for milsurps and bid on a No. 4 MKII at a recent online estate sale. I won the darn thing and it is on its way.

Here are the auction pics:




Description advised as follows:
British No. 4 Mark 2 In Caliber .303 Brit. (D-272). This 1957 dated rifle is as new with a few handling mars. Bore is new. All numbers match. SN-A18460

 

[Nico Testosteros]

I like it.

 

[HavelockLEO]

I fell in love with the No 4 MkII the first time I saw and shot one, you'll never want to part with it once you get it.

 

[Bojangles7]

<-- jealous. That's a beautiful looking rifle.

 

[M1key]

Looks like one of the unissued Irish rifles.

M

 

[MrFox]

Any idea on the serial number? It could be an Irish contact or even more rare.

Nice win! My Irish contract was $150.

 

[tominct]

Sweet. I love those rifles. Congratulations!

 

[nathan]

The Fazakerley arsenal was legendary in how they make the No 4 Mk 2 post war period. The workmanship is topnotch on that one. With no more wartime pressure their production slowed down and it has become an artform as seem as seen in the picture. My refurbed Faz dated 1949 No4 Mk 1 was also well done. I wish i have one of these No 4mk 2 someday.

 

[303tom]

Very nice, a real sweet looking rifle, nice find.

 

[Mustang51]

Thanks, guys

Any idea on the serial number? It could be an Irish contact or even more rare.

Nice win! My Irish contract was $150.

The serial number was listed in the auction description as "A18460". I'm guessing that is a "UF" prefix. The "Irish contract" No.4's were a "PF" prefix and ran from PF309348 - PF359347

$150 for a nice condition Irish is a steal. I happen to nab one a few years ago that came with a matching serial numbered bayo.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I saw the listing for A18460. A UF 55 series rifle, these were held in RAF stores if I remember the story correctly. I've unwrapped three of these late MkII's and have found the barrel likes to see about 50+ rounds before it settles in. Should be a great shooter as the furniture has no shrinkage and receiver fit is excellent, as is the upward pressure at the end of the fore-end.

I still have two Irish and one Burma contract and a special pair of the UF 55 rifles.

 

[Mustang51]

Beautiful matching pair, crate. Once they settle in, how do they shoot?

Even though the description advises "1957 dated rifle", I'm guessing that it is actually a "55". Would you agree?

 

[Mustang51]

Well, it is a 1957..

I thought it was a 1955, but, as described, it is a 1957.







A lot of "F56" stamps on the wood and metal.




Bore is outstanding

 

[Ignition Override]

Those are beautiful.

It would be nice to have access to an estate sale.
The question is how.

 

[Jeff F]

F 57 FTR FTR is factory through repair, I think it went back to the factory in 57 for repair. I picked up a No4 Mk2 a few years ago still in the wrap all full of cosmoline. Its by far the best shooting Enfield I have ever shot. Once I got a few hundred rounds through it, it has gotten very accurate.

 

[Mustang51]

Anyway of knowing where and when this one was originally manufactured?

 

[alemonkey]

Looks like a beauty. I love my MK II, it's one of my favorite rifles. Great trigger, great sights, mild recoil, accurate, full power cartridge, what's not to love?

 

[madcratebuilder]

Mustang51, you really have a unusual rifle. This rifle went through FTR (Factory Through Repair) in 1957, that's the latest date I have seen. I bet if you strip it down you well find most, if not all parts, are marked F55 or F56. That's a Faz part made in 55 or 56.

I'm going to speculate it started life as a Faz MkII made in 49-52. It saw enough service (Korea?) to need a complete rebuild by 1956-57. I don't know what to think of the serial number, it certainly isn't from the 49-52 time frame.

It's not a UF series. They look like this.


I have a 1953 FTR of a 43 LB, it's was FTR'd to a Mk1/3. Every part on the rifle is marked F53 except the original receiver.


Getting back to the serial number, I find it unusual to have this A prefix of the UF series rifles. I don't know if the UF series numbers went to A18460. The highest I recall is A15XXX. Look at the wrist and left side of the receiver with a 40X loupe in bright light and see if anything is there under the refinish.

Very cool rifle, let me know if you ever want to sell it.

 

[303tom]

Did you look here ?

http://www.enfieldrifles.ca/in2.htm