No4 Mk1 serail number question

[kjohn]

I just acquired a "sportered" No4 Mk1, F(FTR)48. The serial number below that on the left side of the receiver is FB21390A, and that # is also on the left wrist socket. The bolt does not match, 1L1387. There is a smaller "4" ahead of the 1L.

Can someone shed any light on the FB21390A number. I have a fair sized data base saved on such things, but can'r seem to find anything about the number.

Thanks in advance!

Incidentally, it has a draw lapped barrel, signified by a D in a circle.

 

[Lee Enfield]

the circled "D" actually signified that the front sight lugs & bayonet lugs were machined timed from the barrel threads in a new simplified process.

snip...the Armourers book of markings in EMER V- something or other says that this D in a circle indicates to Armourers and others that really need to know these things in service, (as opposed to the obvious question '...... who cares whether it's draw lapped or not.....) that '........ in order to eliminate waste during production, the extraneous barrel machinings have been indexed to the breeching up thread as opposed to the more complicated task of indexing the thread following certain machining operations......' and on and on as EMER's are want to do.
...snip...
.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=38012&p=220181&viewfull=1#post220181

nothing to do with "draw lapping" even though it is shown in skennerton as being that.

Serial number: FB21390A

FB is a numberical prefix which started at A thru Z, then AA thru AZ, then BA thru BZ ect. theoretically to ZA thru ZZ.

the first digit "2" is supposed to be an indicator of Fazakerly production

Having said that, more often than not a No4 serial number starting with "F" will indicate Fazakerly production.

the "A" suffix signifies that there may be non standard parts fitted, or that the receiver is non standard in some way and may require fitted parts.

 

[kjohn]

Thank you! The draw lapping business I took from a chart I have that says the Circled D is such. Thanks for clearing that up.

At least the poor old rifle is still standard length barrel. I will clean it up and take it out to fire a few rounds of "the load" - 12 gr. Unique, 185 gr. Lee WW GC.