what kind of Enfield do i have here/ what it may be worth?

mikeystew

mikeystew

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i got this from an older guy i work with who said he bought it new at sears in the 60's and it was sold under the name of parker hale. It appears to be a very nicely sporterized enfield with a floated barrel and monte carlo stock, however it doesn't seem to have a parker hale rear sight, im certain it is a No4Mk1 sight. The front sight however is not that of an enfield. the markings say no4 mk1/2 (F) FTR, and under those markings is a much bolder marking which reads No4 Mk1*. also the metal on the pistol grip that attaches to the trigger guard (forgive me im new to enfields) reads M1944, BS and on the top of the barrel and buttpad it says Churchill gunmakers ltd, bury street SW England. It is in mint condition with a pristine bore, he said he's put less than 50 rds through it since he bought it. But here is the best part...he gave it to me for helping him cart firewood into his backyard! Can anyone tell me more about this gun?

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my camera takes terrible macro pics so no closeups unfortunately... and yes the date on the photo is probably way off, if you must see a penny i can make it happen!
 
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I have one - it was made by Churchill in the UK. They are comparable to other commercial sporters such as Parker Hale, BSA, etc., made from the 50's to the 70's from surlus rifles, and shouldnt be considered a bubba. Mine has a commercial chamber on it. The stock styling is a bit rakish for some peoples tastes. Thats a standard military rear sight.
 
That's what's called your lucky Enfield.

It was originally manufactured as a No.4Mk1* model. The * indicates a variation from the original No.4Mk1 design in how the bolt is released from its tracks for removal. The FTR (F) indicates that while in British service it was sent to Royal Ordnance Factory (Fazackerley) for a Factory Thorough Repair and the Mk 1/2 means the trigger attachment was modified to the No.4Mk2 design, but a Mk1* that had that modification should have been stamped Mk1/3 to distinguish it from a Mk1 that had that modification, which would normally get the Mk1/2 stamp.

You are right about the sights. Most of these rifles converted for hunting by Parker Hale and Churchill retained the military rear sight. Parker Hale's own rear sights are for target shooting, so they didn't put them on the hunting rifles, though some owners may have installed them subsequently. While some conversions had the military wood cut down and retained the front sight as well, nicer examples like yours usually got a new front sight. Your photo doesn't show it, but I expect yours has a hooded ramp?
 
Very nice, upon closer inspection of the markings, it is a Mk1* to a Mk1/3. my front isnt hooded but it is a very tall ramp with a dovetailed blade in it. either way it's a really neat gun, tip top shape!
 
mikeystew said:
Very nice, upon closer inspection of the markings, it is a Mk1* to a Mk1/3. my front isnt hooded but it is a very tall ramp with a dovetailed blade in it. either way it's a really neat gun, tip top shape!
Click to expand...

how very odd.... :confused: the picture of the reciever clearly shows the bolt release or the Mk1 not the cutout of the Mk1* :confused:


the frontsight base I don't see a picute of but I suspect that its the normal Parker Hale type of frontsight ramp
 
Well it definately says No4 Mk1*,that much i can say for sure, and above it the markings appear nearly worn off and that is the part that looks to say No4 Mk1/2, or mk1/3 but i could be wrong and frankly i have no idea what you are referring to regarding a cutout woodchopper. anyhow it dosent really matter all that much to me to be too specific about who did what to it when. but thanks for the info anyhow guys, i have always wanted a nice sporter enfield and i was reluctant to believe it was a parker hale, and now i now it's not... but it is IMHO a close 2nd and a great gift from a good friend!

Here is a blurry closeup pic where the * can be clearly be seen after the No4Mk1
009-2.jpg
 
mikeystew said:
Well it definately says No4 Mk1*,that much i can say for sure, and above it the markings appear nearly worn off and that is the part that looks to say No4 Mk1/2, or mk1/3 but i could be wrong and frankly i have no idea what you are referring to regarding a cutout woodchopper. anyhow it dosent really matter all that much to me to be too specific about who did what to it when. but thanks for the info anyhow guys, i have always wanted a nice sporter enfield and i was reluctant to believe it was a parker hale, and now i now it's not... but it is IMHO a close 2nd and a great gift from a good friend!

Here is a blurry closeup pic where the * can be clearly be seen after the No4Mk1
009-2.jpg
Click to expand...

Ah...that really clears it up... not.:p
 
The Cut out that wood chopper is referring to is located on the "rail" the bolt head rides on and is near the breach. Here is a pic.
image002.jpg


The No.4 Mk1 (no star) had a button that was pushed to remove the bolt.
image003.jpg


The mystery is that yours is stamped No.4 Mk1* but is has the button. This is strange because the cut out is the main difference between the Mk1 and Mk1*.

Anyways, you have a nice looking sporter their. I think your is a Parker Hale Custom model, which featured a new stock which I beleive is made in Italy. I have a "delux" model No.1 Mk3* which has modified military wood.
 
that is wierd, it has the star for sure, but no cut out and it has the little button to release the bolt... I love it nevertheless, does anyone know what these are worth?
 
Yeah, numbers everywhere. Most of them will be inspectors' marks, things such as that. Proper serial numbers generally will be found on the front receiver ring or to the side of the chamber.

You have a beautiful factory rifle there that will do you a lifetime.... and likely your son and grandson as well. It will take anything in North America, feed your family if you're lost in the woods and provide endless hours of fun on the rifle range, just plinking, one shot every 15 minutes, at a soup can 100 yards away.

Enjoy..... and, next time you see the donor, carry some wood for him, just in thanks. This one is a prize.
 
The serial number would have pointed us in the direction that the maker was Maltby.

The significance is that Maltby has been known to mismark rifles as a MKI*, which clears up the confusion regarding the markings and the type of bolt release actually shown on your rifle.
 
Hal O'Peridol said:
There are known instances of Maltby made No4MkI rifles having a No4MkI* rollmark on the side.

What's the serial number? I bet this is a Maltby rifle.
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Just a question, but why would Maltby have the No.4 Mk1* stamp? They never produced the Mk1*, as far as I know it was only produced in Canada by Long Branch and the US by Savage.
 
mikeystew said:
i got this from an older guy i work with who said he bought it new at sears in the 60's and it was sold under the name of parker hale. It appears to be a very nicely sporterized enfield with a floated barrel and monte carlo stock, however it doesn't seem to have a parker hale rear sight, im certain it is a No4Mk1 sight. The front sight however is not that of an enfield. the markings say no4 mk1/2 (F) FTR, and under those markings is a much bolder marking which reads No4 Mk1*. also the metal on the pistol grip that attaches to the trigger guard (forgive me im new to enfields) reads M1944, BS and on the top of the barrel and buttpad it says Churchill gunmakers ltd, bury street SW England. It is in mint condition with a pristine bore, he said he's put less than 50 rds through it since he bought it. But here is the best part...he gave it to me for helping him cart firewood into his backyard! Can anyone tell me more about this gun?

004-2.jpg

005-2.jpg

my camera takes terrible macro pics so no closeups unfortunately... and yes the date on the photo is probably way off, if you must see a penny i can make it happen!
Click to expand...

Beautiful stock, the best one I have ever seen! :eek:
 
You keep asking what its worth $175-$275, depending on condition, and if you have the mag. Check the bore to see if it hasnt suffered from corrosive ammo. It was in good shape when it left the factory, but after that, who knows...
 
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