Enfield buttstock markings

Fuzzy Wool Hat

Fuzzy Wool Hat

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Hi guys

I was fooling around with my BSA Enfield No4 Mk1 T and noticed that in a certain light, you can faintly see some letters painted on the left side of the buttstock. It appears to be "ZE" in very faded white paint.

Can any of you Enfield gurus help me with figuring out what that might be? I did a quick internet search and came up with nothing, but I'd love to know as much of the history behind this rifle as possible.

Other markings on the butt include "S51" on the bottom, which is Holland and Holland as far as I know. Also the scope serial number on the wrist with a "W" inside a star beneath it, and some indiscernible markings (possibly an arrow shape) and the number 5.

I've tried to get a picture of the "ZE" but its so faint that it won't show up on camera.
 
ZF is the most crucial of the list of Z markings.

Specifically, it means the rifle can be repaired at FACTORY level only. Generally, it is a death sentence for the rifle.

BUT it was painted on in letters generally 2 inches high or more and it was VERY visible: a caution so that no-one would use that rifle.

If your butt has the ZF and it looks as bad as you say, likely someone has salvaged a GOOD Butt from an otherwise ZF rifle, then scrubbed the marking as well as they could without a complete stripping to bare wood and refinishing from scratch: common in wartime. MOST of the ZF rifles were cannibalized for parts and it looks like one of those parts ended up on your T.

Have fun!
 
Very interesting, thanks!

Do you think that would be a wartime replacement? As in the parts were used in initial assembly of the rifle in the factory, or used to repair a rifle that was damaged in use?

Or would that perhaps be a post-war refurbishment sort of thing?

smellie said:
ZF is the most crucial of the list of Z markings.

Specifically, it means the rifle can be repaired at FACTORY level only. Generally, it is a death sentence for the rifle.

BUT it was painted on in letters generally 2 inches high or more and it was VERY visible: a caution so that no-one would use that rifle.

If your butt has the ZF and it looks as bad as you say, likely someone has salvaged a GOOD Butt from an otherwise ZF rifle, then scrubbed the marking as well as they could without a complete stripping to bare wood and refinishing from scratch: common in wartime. MOST of the ZF rifles were cannibalized for parts and it looks like one of those parts ended up on your T.

Have fun!
Click to expand...
 
If it also has the S51 marking, I would think it much less likely that the butt was just thrown on later in the rifle's life. How many sniper rifles would be allowed to get to the point where the ZF was necessary? I find it very unlikely that Holland and Holland would put it on the rifle during conversion to a sniper.

While I don't want to cry wolf (or 'headspace' like some here) it might be well worth having someone knowledgeable go over that rifle with a fine tooth comb to make sure it is safe to shoot. I'm not certain what kind of problems would be cause for a ZF marking. Does anyone out there have a list of potential issues to look for?
 
Thanks for the input!

I purchased the rifle from a very competent gunsmith, and as far as I am aware, there is nothing really wrong with it. I have put about 500 rounds through it without a hitch. No case head separations or excessive case stretching with a #1 bolt head. Although I don't have headspace gages, and those are looking like they would be a good investment.

I have had several people remark on how the forestock and rear handguard are a slightly different colouring than the butt and front handguard. That might be a clue, but the forestock has the correct serial number, as well as an ishapore screw. No other anomalies I can find. The receiver markings are worn to the point where the "T" is the only thing still visible.

I'm obviously no expert, but as far as I can tell the rifle is fine. If someone has information that tells them otherwise, I'd love to hear it!

myenfield said:
If it also has the S51 marking, I would think it much less likely that the butt was just thrown on later in the rifle's life. How many sniper rifles would be allowed to get to the point where the ZF was necessary? I find it very unlikely that Holland and Holland would put it on the rifle during conversion to a sniper.

While I don't want to cry wolf (or 'headspace' like some here) it might be well worth having someone knowledgeable go over that rifle with a fine tooth comb to make sure it is safe to shoot. I'm not certain what kind of problems would be cause for a ZF marking. Does anyone out there have a list of potential issues to look for?
Click to expand...
 
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