Received the No.4

[Terry G]

It showed up and it looks like it was just made yesterday. Well, that's if yesterday was 1942 and it passed through at least two countries hands. It apparently was manufactured somewhere in the British Empire in 1942 and somehow ended up in Turkey, of all places. The wood is good, although it needs some Mineral spirits and then BLO. The bore is surprisingly good, which is just short of amazing considering the corrosive ammunition of the day and the troops that neglected it. The outside metal is mostly bare of finish with rust scars on the trigger guard and magazine. It came with a stacking swivel which was added by the Turk's and a curious non-adjustable, non-removable leather sling. I can find no proof marks other than "1942" and some arrowheads pointing up and down on the left rear of the receiver. Interesting gun. The receiver has a lot of tool marks on it, not at all like my MKIII's which show a lot more finishing. Well, time to dig in. I'll give a range report in a couple of day's. God, I love C&R's.

[DaRkWoLf]

I really like that presentation on your porch :cool:

Cant wait to see the range report. Glad that you got a good bore.

[copycat]

Nice cannon too.

[Terry G]

Nice cannon too.Thanks, it's a real problem to conceal, but boy what knock down power! (On both ends.)

[Garand]

What does it say on the butt socket on the left hand side, where the serial number is? The "arrowheads" (known as a BROADARROW), do they have the letter "C" around them or not?

[Terry G]

Here's the SMLE marking information, maybe you can help me out with the MKIII's also. Both MKIII's have a Crown on the butt socket with G.R. under that, then 1916, then Sht L.E. then III *. The No. 4 has a downward pointing broad arrow ( as you called it) then 1942, then under that what looks like a "Y" followed by a "I" or "1" followed by 9***. The shape of the "I" or "1" is diiferent than the 9*** and is spaced a little apart from the number. That's it, except for an importers mark that was obviously put in recently. (MK4 06***) Thanks for any help, Garand. The sling get's me. I have never seen an unadjustable non-removable military sling.

[Garand]

1) Your Short Magazine Lee Enfield Rifle No. III* (Rifle No 1 Mk III*) should have between the letters "G.R." and 1916, the name of the manufacturer of the rifle. The Mark III* basiclly differs from the Mk III in the omission of the long range dial and aperture sights, windage adjustment on the backsite, magazine cut off, lug on the firing pin collar, and the swivel lugs at the front of the trigger guard. These swivel lugs were replaced by a small wire loop to secure a fabric action cover. Soon after the introduction of the Mark III*, the brass butt marking disc was also omitted. Some Mark III* rifles may be encountered with provision for magazine cut off.

2) Rifle No. 4 Mk 1 other than the "Broad Arrow" which was the British Acceptance mark , you haven't given me enough information as to identify the manufacturer. The sling is not commonwealth issue and neither is the addition to the upper band.

[Terry G]

Garand, that's all the information that's on the No.4, no other markings at all except for a faded No.4 and then something on the left side of the receiver, Nothing other than what I've posted on the butt socket. A gentlemen on a C&R forum suggest's it was sent to Turkey either during or right after WWII, hence the stacking swivel and strange sling. One of my MKIII's does have ENFIELD on it under the "GR", the other one does not. One has the medallion on the stock, the other does not. I can't understand the lack of markings on the NO.4, the MKIII's have markings everywhere.

[Garand]

Very curious indeed.

[tommy_12_toes]

Them's might good rifles a friend tolt me about a place close by thet keep's em pretty regular. I might have to drive on down thar en' pick one up.