Question About Enfield Bolt Markings

[John Wayne]

I recently purchased a sporterized Enfield .303. The gun came sans sights, with a scope mount, shortened and free-floated barrel, and shortened stock (no barrel band). It has also been arsenal refurbished, and has been reblued and had the stock sanded down and re-coated.

Examination of the bolt revealed the following markings, in the usual place:

The first number is slightly difficult to read, but it looks like, "N.57.MK.2"
or possibly "N.67 MK.2"

I have never heard of anything other than a Mark I-V in a SMLE. What does this mean?

It also came without a magazine, I believe the aftermarket one I purchased was for a Mk. III.

 

[Mk VII]

N67 is the wartime code of the subcontractor, Singer Sewing Machines. Mk.2 is the (by far most common) pattern of cocking piece.

 

[John Wayne]

Thanks for the quick reply. So I'm guessing this was made between '39 and '45, and is therefore a No.3?

 

[Mk VII]

On the face of it, it's probably a No.4 (unless someone has been fitting No.4 parts to an earlier model. Not by the book, but not unknown either).