what lee enfield 303 is this?

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little pete

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I have possesion of a rather nice sporterized 303 lee enfield but like a lot of others I can't decide what rifle it is. Under the safety it is marked M147c, impressed over this is the word England. Below this is marked the date 1944, further down is an N and then the number 36969. The number N36969 is stamped on the left side of the reciever and on the back of the bolt. At the reciever end of the barrel is marked DNP with a crown over it. To the left of that is another DNP overlooked by a crown. Below that is .303 2.222" under that is 0.5 tons per (a square) ". The last marking looks like a pair of crossed swords with a 5 and a 6 on the lower right and the upper right. The blueing and rifleing are both very good and I have put a scope on it. The original sight was at the back and went to 1300. I thought maybe it was a Mark1 # 4but can't find any thing that looks like the above description. Does anyone know what this is?:runaway::jerkit:
thanks
little pete
 
Guessing game

A pic would quickly ID this one.

But here is my best guess. Some of the markings might not be too clear, so this is what I think they could be.

It`s a 1944 No4 Lee Enfield made at the BSA Shirley factory (M47C) so it will be a Mk.I. The serial number being N36969.

The crowned DNP is actualy BNP (Birmingham Nitro Proof). All firearms sold commercialy in the UK have to be tested and marked if they pass. The markings have changed over the years but the BNP style was introduced in 1956. The 303 is part of the proofing data with regards to the cartridge and is the caliber (of course), the 2.222 is the length of the cartridge, the 18.5 tons per square inch note is to do with the proofing test pressure. The crossed swords are part of the proofing inspection and is another Birmingham mark, it would signify who the inspector was.

The ENGLAND mark is yet another Brit legal requirement for arms to be sold for export, the requirement was to show the country of origin. This was introduced in the mid 1960s.

So to sum up, you have a war time production BSA Shirley No.4 Mk.I that was surplused and sold onto the civilian market in the 1960s. Bubba bought it.
 
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Its a No 4 Mk 1, made by BSA, as described above. Lots were sported after the war - some were very well done By BSA, Parker Hale, Churchill, etc - they would be marked at mid barrel accordingly.
 
Well that clears up my questioin very well. Thank you to all the fellows who got involved on my 303 enfield query.

little pete
 
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