A couple of Lee Enfield mysteries.

[louthepou]

Hi guys, a couple of questions for a couple of No4's.

First: 1943 No4Mk1 BSA Shirley receiver - no serial number? It doesn't look like the serial number was scrubbed from this one - wondering if anyone else has come across a non-serial numbered receiver like that before. The receiver does look like folks were in a hurry to get it out the door...




The barrel is nice, should be a good shooter. Just dressed it up with spare parts I had.



Now here's, just for the fun of it, another one. These pictures are from a No4 Mk2 version (don't think it's a Mk1/2 or 1/3), with barely more info. Got it as a sporter, will desporterize it. Very minimalist Lee Enfields these days, in my shop, tehy don't seem to want to talk much...

 

[infideleggwelder]

my No5 is stamped similar, barely there, not lined up, in a hurry look. maybe the khyber gunsmiths were there for training.......

 

[Lee Enfield]

Very common to loose serial numbers through wear and refinishing.

All Fazakerly and many Maltby and BSA serials were lightly engraved or even stamped originally.

Very common to see serials restamped over the original numbers. Usually they even match...

 

[scott585]

what is that oval C stamp in the middle of the bottom pic?

 

[odjig]

Many years ago I had an armourer build me a No.4, Mk1* from spare parts. None of the parts had a serial number on it anywhere so I ended up with an unmarked rifle. Maybe some armourer just neglected to stamp numbers on a replaced part.