.223Savage
Member
MY son recently acquired a No. 4 with the following matching serial number "X20---A". All the metal was present and in good shape but the wood had been sporterized by Bubba.
According to Stratton's book, the "X" prefix indicates the gun was made by BSA-Shirley in 1942 but I can't seem to find anything about the "A" suffix. I seem to recall something to the effect that the "A" suffix indicated that there were non-standard parts on the rifle. This possibility is seemingly supported by the fact that the barrel has very course machining marks on it and a standard bayonet will not fit on the muzzle as it is .007" oversize.It almost seems that the barrel needed a final pass on a lathe to be standard. Even the lady at the CFC said that their software did not accept a letter to end the serial number. I also recall that these "A" suffix rifles were supposed to be removed from service at the first opportunity for repair.
I have a couple of questions for the Enfield gurus out there:
- Is the above theory about the "A" suffix correct? Is there some source for further details?
- Does this add any value to this rifle? Would it be worth the expense of adding a good set of wood to?
Thanks.
According to Stratton's book, the "X" prefix indicates the gun was made by BSA-Shirley in 1942 but I can't seem to find anything about the "A" suffix. I seem to recall something to the effect that the "A" suffix indicated that there were non-standard parts on the rifle. This possibility is seemingly supported by the fact that the barrel has very course machining marks on it and a standard bayonet will not fit on the muzzle as it is .007" oversize.It almost seems that the barrel needed a final pass on a lathe to be standard. Even the lady at the CFC said that their software did not accept a letter to end the serial number. I also recall that these "A" suffix rifles were supposed to be removed from service at the first opportunity for repair.
I have a couple of questions for the Enfield gurus out there:
- Is the above theory about the "A" suffix correct? Is there some source for further details?
- Does this add any value to this rifle? Would it be worth the expense of adding a good set of wood to?
Thanks.