Who made this Lee-Enfield??

shredder

shredder

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
Location
15 in - 6 out
Just like the title says, who manufactured this Lee-Enfield?

TlbhrsUl.jpg
[/IMG]
^^ Right (bolt handle) side of the receiver. Looks like it's been scrubbed??

GWHmef4l.jpg
[/IMG]
Bolt handle markings and top of receiver

tKLLfcel.jpg
[/IMG]
Left side of receiver just forward of the charger bridge

GDjebC6l.jpg
[/IMG]
Left side of receiver showing serial #, year of manufacture.

oIFXITfl.jpg
[/IMG]
Right side of receiver showing country of manufacture and a faint stamp.

Sorry about the photo quality, my cell camera is the only one I have available right now. I'm hoping that some of the L-E gurus on site here can help me identify which maker made this old girl. She's a sportered L-E my Dad bought in the late 60's for 24.95 (with a soft case and box of ammo) in Eaton's in Regina.
The bolt matches the serial number of the receiver.
 
Are you sure about that? The 5th photo (where the barrel screws in) says "England".

I realize the square S (looks like a block 5) probably stands for Savage, but were they making No4Mk1* rifles in '42, or was their factory turned over to making US rifles?

Not trying to argue, I'm genuinely curious.
 
shredder said:
Are you sure about that? The 5th photo (where the barrel screws in) says "England".

I realize the square S (looks like a block 5) probably stands for Savage, but were they making No4Mk1* rifles in '42, or was their factory turned over to making US rifles?

Not trying to argue, I'm genuinely curious.
Click to expand...

Savage made enfields up until 1944, when machines and already made parts were transferred too longbranch in 1945. Savage started making the mk1* in 1942, by1944 they had made nearly 1000000 rifles.
The Americans weren't in ww2 until late 1941, but USA was supporting the war effort via a lend/lease agreement.

The England stamp was "stamped" likely when it was sold out of the uk.

Also savage was a major producer of the Thompson smg at the same time. They were major players for the war effort.
 
Does anyone know where the US Property mark would've been stamped if this was a Lend-Lease rifle? I can't find any mark like that on the old girl.
 
shredder said:
Does anyone know where the US Property mark would've been stamped if this was a Lend-Lease rifle? I can't find any mark like that on the old girl.
Click to expand...

on top of the left hand receiver wall, very apparent. If there's any grinded flat surface in such a described location, that means this common markings been scrubbed. Or you have a super duper ultra collectible No4 (jk). iirc It's sorta near the top of the 'No4 MkI*' marking, above the N

I concur, the stamping looks really 'Savage'

edit to add.... just had a look to confirm my directions to find... yep that spot is clear to see and dang if there's no 'U.S. PROPERTY' stamped there.... do I see a hint of filing?

Anyone else?
 
Last edited:
Kayser Sose said:
on top of the left hand receiver wall, very apparent. If there's any grinded flat surface in such a described location, that means this common markings been scrubbed. Or you have a super duper ultra collectible No4 (jk). iirc It's sorta near the top of the 'No4 MkI*' marking, above the N

I concur, the stamping looks really 'Savage'

edit to add.... just had a look to confirm my directions to find... yep that spot is clear to see and dang if there's no 'U.S. PROPERTY' stamped there.... do I see a hint of filing?

Anyone else?
Click to expand...

I'm going with.

Or you have a super duper ultra collectible No4
 
Kayser Sose said:
on top of the left hand receiver wall, very apparent. If there's any grinded flat surface in such a described location, that means this common markings been scrubbed. Or you have a super duper ultra collectible No4 (jk). iirc It's sorta near the top of the 'No4 MkI*' marking, above the N

I concur, the stamping looks really 'Savage'

edit to add.... just had a look to confirm my directions to find... yep that spot is clear to see and dang if there's no 'U.S. PROPERTY' stamped there.... do I see a hint of filing?

Anyone else?
Click to expand...

After taking another close look, I see no signs of filing. Could I have the super-duper collectible No4Mk1* hehehehehe?
 
shredder said:
IIRC if it's a Lend-Lease rifle, it should have a US Property stamp of some kind on it?
Click to expand...

Unless it was filled/ground off, some owners didn't like seeing us property on "their" rifle.. Of course it could be one where it was never stamped and could be rarer. But by that time (late 1942) every rifle should have had that stamp.
 
The US PROPERTY Savages were built before Lend-Lease came into effect.

Prior to the passing of Lend-Lease, the Neutrality Act was in force and all the US could do was sell "surplus" to the British. So they made LOTS of "surplus".

Once Lend-Lease came in, this was no longer necessary.

Originally, Savage tooled to build the Number 4 as a commercial project. Then Britain effectively went bankrupt in 1941. The US picked up the slack and "bought" the Number 4s, then "surplused" them in accordance with the Neutrality Act.

Somebody is sure to be along any time now and tell me I'm full of it......
 
smellie said:
The US PROPERTY Savages were built before Lend-Lease came into effect.

Prior to the passing of Lend-Lease, the Neutrality Act was in force and all the US could do was sell "surplus" to the British. So they made LOTS of "surplus".

Once Lend-Lease came in, this was no longer necessary.

Originally, Savage tooled to build the Number 4 as a commercial project. Then Britain effectively went bankrupt in 1941. The US picked up the slack and "bought" the Number 4s, then "surplused" them in accordance with the Neutrality Act.

Somebody is sure to be along any time now and tell me I'm full of it......
Click to expand...


Well that is why your called smellie? Cause your full of it? The scent and all... :p
 
smellie said:
Somebody is sure to be along any time now and tell me I'm full of it......
Click to expand...

If "it" is a wealth of knowledge and a willingness to share it...and the humility to be corrected (whilst locked in sock closet)....then yes...you sir, are full of "it" haha
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom