Finding out the history of Lee Enfields

Rammer Jammer

Rammer Jammer

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Are there any websites that can give a more detailed history of LE rifles?

The one I am trying to find more about is a sporterized (FTR) MK 4, ROF(F) - Royal Ordnance Factory in Fazakerly, built in November, 1943.

Using the serial number and other markings on it, is there somewhere to find out which regiment, unit, or possibly even the soldier it was issued to and when?
 
Rammer Jammer said:
Are there any websites that can give a more detailed history of LE rifles? Try the milsurp knowledge library for England here: http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12
Also, try the Lee Enfield Rifles page here: http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/main.htm

The one I am trying to find more about is a sporterized (FTR) MK 4, ROF(F) - Royal Ordnance Factory in Fazakerly, built in November, 1943. Your rifle was built in 1943 - I'm not sure where you got November from, since most 1943 production would not indicate the month of manufacture. You have definitely mis-transcribed the writing on your rifle, as there was never a "Mk4" made in Britain. ROF(F) stands for Royal Ordnance Factory - Fazakerley - it was in England before the plant was sold to Pakistan in the 1950's. FTR means it has been Factory Thorough Repaired (i.e. refurbed, rebuilt, made new again, etc.). If the rifles is marked 11/43 and FTR, your rifle might be earlier made and simply rebuilt by Fazakerley in Nov. 1943.

Using the serial number and other markings on it, is there somewhere to find out which regiment, unit, or possibly even the soldier it was issued to and when?
No - this information does not exist anywhere. The British military did not keep records at that level.
Click to expand...

Hope that helps!
 
Claven2 said:
...If the rifles is marked 11/43 and FTR...
Click to expand...

That is the case with this one.

I was told that was the year and month in this thread:

Fazakerly No4's
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2362087&postcount=17


This isn't my rifle but I have been given the numbers and markings on it to see what I could find out about it.

I have been to those and many other LE websites already to see if such a database existed without any luck, but I figured I should ask here before putting any more time into it.

Thanks Claven
 
"...if such a database existed..." It doesn't. Records of what unit got which rifle were destroyed long ago. Records of what troopie got which rifle were local unit records and they weren't kept either.
 
Rammer Jammer said:
I have been to those and many other LE websites already to see if such a database existed without any luck
Click to expand...

As it has been said... no such database exists. Rifles and other weapons in the Army get passed around like a $2 prostitute, for lack of a better term. So while a soldier may have had the same weapon through training, with his name attached to that serial no. on file, it wouldn't have stayed that way as soon as they deployed. With some units having a 100% or greater casualty rate, I doubt anyone would have kept the same rifle throughout the war.... much less worry about records.

We don't even keep equivalent records in the modern day CF. Once the person turns a piece of serialized kit in, it's the property of the unit again, and the TI cards are ripped up and thrown out.
 
I really dought it was FTR in 11/43, even if built in 1941 in any numbers it would be unused or unaffected. Being that Dunkirk happened in 1940 and Dieppe happened in 1942. So a 11/43 rifle being FTR’d is very unlikely as no FTRs for rifle of that age would have seen combat….

11/43 is most likely the year of mauf.

Pete
 
I disagree - I've seen quire a few late 43, early 44 FTR's done at Faz. Happened continuously throughout the war, though without seeing the markings, hard to say either way.
 
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