Yet another question about a "DP" stamped Lee Enfield...

[louthepou]

Hi everyone,

I posted this question on milsurps.com, and some good info came back; but still have a fundamental question about it, so here goes.

Here's a barreled receiver which I recently acquired; upon inspection, I noticed this DP mark in what I consider an unusual place:

Another peculiarity is this extra number on the receiver:

Seeing this, I then looked more closely to everything else. The proof and inspection marks on the right side of the barrel attracted my attention. Isn't there some stamping on TOP of the usual ones seen there?

Some feedback received proposed a second proofing, which could hint at this one being able to shoot. But, any "DP" stamping on a Lee Enfield does require caution...

All of this brings me to ask: what's going on, and what should I do with this barrel, bolt and receiver? What should I throw away, what could I keep?

Thanks in advance, dear colleagues,

Lou

 

[Rule 303]

DP stands for Drill Purpose, meaning firearm is non-useable for firing but suitable for drill purposes, i.e. recruit foot drill training, stripping and assembling, and all the dry firing you want to do!

 

[Claven2]

It was commercially proofed AFTER being DP'd, so likely it would be OK, but long before I would use a DP barrelled action to build a rifle, I would strip it for parts and build on another receiver - no question - if for no other reason that I could never sell a full-wood rifle marked DP for even half what it would cost to build it, regardless if it's safe to shoot or not.

If the bore is nice, at least you have a nice barrel out of the deal.

 

[louthepou]

Thanks guys. Claven, I'll go as far as to assume that the bolt can be salvaged too? The serial number matches on barrel, bolt and receiver.

 

[Claven2]

If the bolt is not DP marked, it's probably fine. Usually on a DP, it's the receiver that fell out of spec. - though in reality sometimes perfectly fine rifles were DP'd if they needed more DP rifles and didn't have enough condemned service rifles to convert. No way to know for sure though...