The latter will have an engraving on the flat side of the receiver which will read something like (taking one of my rifles as an example), F(FTR)49. This means Royal Ordance Factory Fazakerly, Factory Through Repair, 1949. Along with this will be the model designation, and below this, the serial number. Note that not all FTR rifle were converted. The old factory serial numbering systems changed in 1949 to the form 'PF xxxxxx'. PF stands for Fazakerley, which was the only factory making them by then. The changeover from Mk1 to Mk2 production is believed to have occurred at rifle number 'PF 100000'. Most of the last PF-marked Mk1s and early Mk2s seem to have gone to South Africa.

From All About Enfields; The No4Mk1 rifle

Lee Enfield No4MkI’s were made by several factories during the 2^nd World War. The bulk being from the Royal Ordinance factory Maltby, ROF Fazakerley, BSA Shirley, with smaller quantities at Longbranch in Toronto Canada and by the Stevens-Savage company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, USA.

To work out which factory that your Lee Enfield No4 was made is to look at wrist markings where the serial numbers are. Now this only equates to British No4MkI here. The British made No4MkI’s use a prefix and number – (Alpha numerical) system to identify manufacturer. Numbered serials starting with 1 indicated ROF Maltby, 2 indicated ROF Fazakerley and 3 indicated BSA Shirley. However as one soon learns with anything to do with life there are exceptions, early in on the game BSA Shirley did a production run which used only 4 numbers and went from Axxxx to Zxxxx.

Canadian made Longbranch No4MkI’s are easy to tell as they have “Longbranch” written across the receiver and they would have been changed over around 41 /42 from MkI to MkI*. The US made No4MkI’s were produced under the lend-lease agreement and as such will have U.S. PROPERTY stamped across left part of the receiver. Well it should have it stamped there! I’ve had stories recounted to me that some units removed the marks. But again, a very stylised square S or the US flaming proof mark may well give it away. But these early US marked No4MkI’s will be rather limited in numbers.

This does have the squared cocking piece, the MKII. Whereas the earlier models had a button cocking piece, however due to production date of this rifle the square piece is correct to the rifle, as was highlighted in the list of changes Para B4737.

The main way in which to easily differentiate the models is the bolt head release mechanism. It is a spring-loaded catch just rearward of the charger guide on the right hand side the receiver. Depressing this allowed the bolt to be removed from the rifle.

Improvements in the bedding and a heavier barrel, coupled with a longer sight picture gave the Allied soldier a battle rifle with great potential. The reduced weight in the nose cap allowed the rifle to balance and come up to the aim quicker. An improved graduated rear flip-up sight called the singer sight was graduated from 200yds to 1300yds in 50 yd graduations.

Top, Lee Enfield No4 MK2, Bottom Lee Enfield No4 Mk1

The woodwork of the early No4 was that of beech or birch. Earlier less hurried times would have seen wood such as French or European walnut being used. The walnut would have been suitably seasoned and prepared years in advance. However luxuries like that were soon to be a thing of the past. But those issues are better suited to be explored in No4Mk1*. But needless to say, by the time the No4Mk1* was hitting production what skilled operators and man power was left, were doing an exceptional job with what wood they were able to harvest or being supplied. The times of enjoying wood from Europe was ending and North American woods were now becoming increasingly the norm as well as coach woods from as far as Australia.

Lee Enfield Accuracy

The accuracy the No4 was expected to achieve was hitting a 6×4 inch plate at 100 yards. But when we talk about accuracy I feel that I must remind readers of what Maj E.B.B Reynolds wrote in his book “The Lee Enfield Rifle”. Maj Reynolds summarized this whole subject up perfectly when he wrote “throughout its many years of useful service the Lee Enfield has had many critics, particularly regarding is accuracy as a target shooting weapon. Many writers and critics appear to have overlooked the fact that it was designed as the British soldier’s personal arm, not as a target rife” Pg 9, Second impression 1962. And this was no target rifle, nor was it ever intended to be, it was deadly efficient in its intended role and proved an extremely solid and dependable battle rifle

* * *

Full Parts Inventories for the Lee Enfield.

Hoosier Gun Works; http://www.hoosiergunworks.com/ …… Near full inventory for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4, No1 Mk3 Click Here, No4 Mk1 Click Here. Not able to export, good people, USA.

Numrich Gun Parts Corp; http://www.e-gunparts.com/ ……. Wood plus full inventories for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4, No5 and No 8, Enfield mini index Click Here. Will export up to $100 per order, will split parcels to assist, USA.

Poppert’s Gun Parts; http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/ ……. Wood, plus full inventory for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4, Enfield Search, Not able to export. USA.

Springfield Sporters; http://www.ssporters.com/ ……. Wood, barrels, plus full inventory for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4. Not able to export, USA.

Sarco Inc, http://www.sarcoinc.com/ Also; Sarco Online Order Site, http://e-sarcoinc.com/ ……. Wood, plus full inventory for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4. Lee Enfield; Click Here. Will Export, USA.

Valmont Firearms; http://www.valmontfirearms.co.uk/Lee Enfield.htm. ……. Enfield and near full inventory of new parts for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4, UK.

Lee Enfield, parts, accessories

Accumounts; http://www.accumounts.com/ …… Steel, no gunsmith scope mount for Lee Enfield, wide range, including No4 T pads and P14 WW1 sniper mounts. USA

Addley Precision; http://addleyprecision.com/ ……. Very nice range of Enfield scope mounts, some with extra rails for No4 Enfields. Canada.

Aim Surplus; http://aimsurplus.com/ ……. C&R including Lee Enfield and parts.USA

Apex Gun Parts; https://www.apexgunparts.com/rifles/bolt-action/lee-enfield.html ……. Lee Enfield parts list, including original No4 T cheek rests (june/2011). Does not export. US

Battledress and Bayonet; http://www.battledressandbayonet.com/ ……. Repro Enfield No1 Mk3 grenade launcher and Sten bayonets. Wide range for collectors and re-enactors. UK.

BDL Ltd; http://www.bdlltd.com/ ……. Parts, great range of Enfield, world reknown for customer service, Enfield snipers, Enfields on request, and overhauling no32 scopes. Most Enfield parts by query, Contact; Brian Dick, Will Export, USA.

Buy Milsurp; http://www.buymilsurp.com/zencart/ ……. Wood, Barrels. Lee Enfield, parts. USA

Century Arms; https://www.centuryarms.com/ (Dealers and C&R holders only); ……. Sometimes Lee Enfield, parts/wood sets. USA

Collectible Firearms; http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/RiflesLeeEnfield.html …… Lee Enfield for sale. US

Collector’s Source; http://www.collectorssource.com/ ……. Military collectibles for sale incl. Lee Enfield and militaria. Ontario, Canada

Combat Hunting;http://www.combathunting.com/ …… Rifle store with Lee Enfield section. US

EFD; http://www.efdrifles.com/ ……. New made reproduction parts for early, hard to find Enfield. Lee Enfield for sale also. UK.

Empire Arms; http://www.empirearms.com/ ……. C&R including Lee Enfield and parts. USA

Gibbs Rifle Co; http://www.gibbsrifle.com/index.html …… Re made classic C&R, including Lee Enfield. USA

Huber Concepts; http://www.huberconcepts.com/ …… Low friction triggers for Lee Enfield and other C&R. USA

International Military Antiques, http://www.ima-usa.com/ ……. Large parts and militaria list for British, and other countries. Repro T scope mount. USA

InterOrdance – IO Inc; http://www.ioinc.us/ ……. A well known business with a low profile that quietly imports interesting C&R rifles, including Lee Enfield. US

Lee Enfield 303 Serial Numbers

Joe Salter.com; http://www.joesalter.com/ ……. Excellent classic and rare Lee Enfield for sale. Football manager 2020 download. US

KebCo LLC; http://www.kebcollc.com ……. C&R including Enfield parts. USA

Lawrence Ordnance; http://www.lawranceordnance.com/ ……. Sydney based, AIA enfield dealer, plus C&R militaria, Enfield parts and Lee Enfield. Aust.

Lynx Optics; Scope mounts/bases, Lee Enfield and many others. NSW, Aust.

Martini-Henry; http://martinihenry.com/ ……. Excellent large site with Lee Enfield and parts for sale. USA

MarStar Canada; http://www.marstar.ca/dynamic/index.jsp ……. Possible Enfield stuff, Lee Enfield, also ex dealer for AIA Enfield, Canada.

Mojo Sighting Systems; http://www.mojosights.com/sample-page/lee-enfield/ ……. After market peep sights for Lee Enfield No1 Mk3. USA

Navy Arms; http://www.navyarms.com/ ……. Re made classic rifles including Lee Enfield. USA

Northridge International; http://www.northridgeinc.com/ ……. C&R rifles and Parts, including Lee Enfield and parts. Los Angeles. USA

Old Western Scrounger; http://www.ows-ammo.com/store/……. Lee Enfield rifle parts plus a neat jungle carbine flash hider modified to reduce muzzle flip. US

Prestigious Wood Stocks; – New made wood stocks, restoration kits, … Canada

Poppert’s Gun Parts; http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/ ……. Lee Enfield, parts list. US

Simpsons Ltd; http://www.simpsonltd.com ……… Collector firearms, a good range of used Lee Enfield. USA

Wolverine Supplies; http://www.wolverinesupplies.com/ ……. Ex dealer for AIA ‘Lee Enfield’, Canada

Enfield Serial Number Year

SERIAL NUMBERS..

Earlier SMLE and previous MLM & MLE rifles & carbines initially had the action body batches allocated a letter, before the serial numbers were stamped (to 9999 in each series). These commenced with no letter, then progressed A thru' Z, often nominated for different contractors, RSAF Enfield, RSAF Sparkbrook, BSA Co., LSA Co., and the peddled scheme during WW1. It is interesting that different rifle and carbine Marks recommenced with the no letter and A-Z series with each new model, so it is possible to find carbines/rifles of different Mark designations with the same serial number. This is a reason that upon unit issue, serial nos. were not recorded, rather that rack numbers were assigned and stamped on the butt or butt-plate tang. On some rifles, particularly the SMLE, these unit or rack issue numbers were stamped on the top of the action body as well, e.g. in Aussie service '3.M.D.' (3rd Military District) '10381' (the Military District or unit rack no.)
On MLM, MLE and earlier SMLE rifles, the batch letter will be noted sometimes above or below the serial no. because the serial number was stamped later in production and stamped on the body and breech bolt too. Serial nos. stamped on the nosecap boss, fore-end, underside of the rearsight leaf, &c. was done at Base Ordnance Depots and by armourers to keep together components original to particular rifles during maintenenace and repair. This also applied, to a certain degree, to No.4 and No.5 rifles, particularly to the fore-end and later extended to the magazine case as well. For the SMLE, we usually find serial nos. stamped on magazine cases only on Indian issue rifles.

Recording of serial numbers for Enfield muskets, .577 Sniders and .450 & .303 Martini rifles & carbines is essential for your own records (insurance, registers, &c.) however the numbers stamped on the butt or even on action bodies are rarely the firearm's serial number. Rack or issue numbers were stamped on the right side of the butt, or marking disk (.303 arms only), on the butt-plate tang (Sniders & Enfields only) and occasionally on the action body itself, usually atop the receiver ring. While rack or issue numbers help identification, they are not the firearm's serial number.
Until 1st January 1925, the master number of a firearm was that on the barrel rather than the action body. On Sniders and Martinis, the serial number is not visible and removing a fore-end to see the number on the barrel or front inside of the body can damage wood furniture, especially if the securing pin (a la M.H. Mk I & II, M.M. & M.E. too) has rust on it. M.H. serial numbers are found on the inside right, front of the body while .303 conversion numbers used the left side. So as to match critical parts, serial number was also stamped under the rear sight leaf (and fore-ends, nosecaps, bolts, of Lee-Enfields too). You may find serial numbers easily by lifting up the backsight leaf, more convenient than removing the fore-end, IF that leaf is original to the firearm. serial nos. for .577 Sniders and .450 & .303 Martini rifles & carbines is required for your own records (insurance, registers, &c.) but numbers stamped on the butt or even action bodies are rarely a firearm's serial number. Rack or issue numbers were marked on the right side of the butt, or marking disk (.303 arms only), on the buttplate tang (Sniders & Enfields only) and occasionally on the action body itself, usually atop the receiver ring. While rack or issue numbers help identification, they are not the firearm's serial number.
Until 1st January 1925, the master number of a firearm was that on the barrel rather than the action body. On Sniders and Martinis, the serial number is not visible; removing a fore-end to see the number on the barrel or front inside of the body may damage furniture, especially if the securing pin (a la M.H. Mk I & II, M.M. & M.E. too) has rust on it. M.H. serial numbers are found on the inside right, front of the body while .303 conversion numbers used the left side. So as to match critical parts, serial number was also stamped under the rear sight leaf (and fore-ends, nosecaps, bolts, of Lee-Enfields too). You may find serial numbers easily by lifting up the backsight leaf, more convenient than removing the fore-end, IF that leaf is original to the firearm.

No.4 and No.5 rifle serial numbers can readily identify manufacturers. British No.4 rifles have five numbers, usually after one or two letter prefixes. The same letter prefix(es) were used by Maltby, Fazakerley & BSA Shirley, A to Z then AA, AB to AZ, then BA to BZ, CA to CZ &c. Maltby rifle serial numbers commence with a number '1', Fazakerley with a '2' and Shirley with a '3', e.g. 1xxxx for Maltby, 2xxxx for Fazakerley and for Shirley, 3xxxx, after the letter prefix. Late Shirley numbers then supposedly ran A4000 to A7999 and with PS prefixes at the very end of production. Post-war Fazakerley No.4 rifles had PF letter prefixes. The only exception to the 5-number sequence for No.4 rifles was the initial BSA Shirley production which ran from 0001 to 9999 then went with A to Z prefixes (A0001 to A9999 to the Z prefix) and some early dual letter prefixes (e.g. AT 0303), but then went over to A30001, &c. So early M47C No.4 rifle numbers could be confused with the Jungle carbine in having four rather than five numbers.
Long Branch (Canada) serial numbers incorporate an 'L' in the serial number while US Savage numbers include an 'C' in a similar relative position amongst the numbers. Both of these No.4 rifle series commenced with 0L1 and 0C1 respectively.
No.5 Jungle Carbines only have 4 numbers, the Shirley carbines have BB to C? prefixes, last production was post World War 2. The Fazakerley jungle carbines ran from FE1 to FE1000 initial production, then with no letter prefix, followed by A1 to A9999 through Z9999.

Serial numbers of certain Lee-Enfields can serve as indicators of the model and help with initial authentication. The 'BS' prefix was used for the .22 British No.7 rifles, 'T1' for the .22 No.5 trials small-bore target rifles in 1945 and 'DA' for the .22 No.8 N.Z. contract rifles by BSA Shirley. 'SKN' was applied to factory sectionized models, an 'XP' prefix was used for Lithgow Shortened & Lightened SMLE and No. 6 jungle carbines, 'X' was used for a small number of Lithgow No.1 rifles with stainless steel barrels and 'FE' was used for early production Fazakerley No. 5 jungle carbines. Trials No. 1 Mk VI and No. 4 Mk 1 rifles made in the early 1930s have an 'A' prefix to their original serial numbers although many were later upgraded to No. 4 specs and the 'A' became a suffix to indicate the fitting of some non-interchangeable components. On No. 4 rifles, an 'A' suffix was stamped by a repair depot or armourer after the serial number when some parts were found to be non-interchangeable.
And of course, with the Canadian No.4 rifles, the letter 'L' precedes the last four numbers as does a 'C' for the Chicopee Falls production Stevens Savage Lend-Lease No.4 rifles and 'J5550' (the drawing number) prefixes the Canadian Lightened No. 4 serial number. After the initial 99,999 rifles, the Lithgow No. 1 (S.M.L.E.) proceeded through 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D', 'E' and 'F' prefixes before the last rifle F40580 was manufactured in 1953. WW2 production ceased with F39580 and the 1,000 rifle run during the Korean War ran from F39581 to F40580. More details on serial numbers will also be found in the new book, 'The Broad Arrow'.
The 7.62mm L1A1 series serial number prefixes similarly denote makers. UE is Enfield, UB is BSA, UF is Fazakerley and AD is Lithgow, Australia. 'SAF' was applied by the Lithgow factory to certain export sales and 'SR' for Lithgow sectionized rifles. South African 7.62mm FAL's were Belgian production metric models, engraved with the South African crest. Indian 7.62mm 1A rifles ran conventional serial number series with a letter prefix.

7.62mm L2A1 prototypes (heavy barrel auto model) from SAF Lithgow had 'X' prefix serial numbers. Some were onforwarded to Malaya and New Zealand, good customers who purchased quantities of the 7.62mm L1A1 model—
X1 to Malaya (7 June 1961)
X2 to X4 to Malaya
X5 to New Zealand
X6 to X7 to Malaya
X8 to Malaya, returned to SAF and rebuilt, forwarded to Australian War Memorial
X9 to Malaya
X10 AIS (Army Inspectorate) Lithgow
X11 AIS Lithgow
X12 AIS Lithgow
X13 to Malaya
X14 to Malaya
X15 to Malaya (likely only 15 rifles w/ X serials built, following were converted receivers)
X18 rebuilt from X8 at AIS Lithgow
X19 rebuilt from X9 at AIS Lithgow
X20 TT 176 for Army trial, control weapon (normal barrel & gas block, concession trigger mechanism & body bullet lead)
X21 TT 176 (test/trials) used with X20 by the Army
X22 possibly a number allocation and not assembled
Australian L2A1 production commenced in 1962 with 3,000 rifles and continued until 1982 with a total production of 9,557 (excluding the X-prefix pre-production batch referred to above).

Pf Lee Enfield Serial Numbers 2020

Lithgow SAF in-house L1A1 test and some special rifles have some different serial number prefixes. SAF was used for target rifles and commercial batches which included the L1A1A rifles for the United States, e.g. SAF830103. TT and TR were applied to in-house test models. TR0001 to TR024 are recorded as having been assembled,
TR0007 Fully chromed barrel & auto to ADE Melbourne
TR0008 Fully chromed barrel & auto to ADE Melbourne
TR0015 Adverse condition trial with selected components; TT56, TT57, TT58, TT59
TR0016 Production rifle for comparison with above
TR0017 Adverse condition trial TT60 / C110
TR0018 Deterioration of Rifle body using proof rounds; TT61
TR0019 For case proof Footscray, special hardened body BRH
TR0020 BRH body
TR0021 H2 body for cartridge case ammo trial
TR0022 H2 body for cartridge case ammo trial
TR0023 H2 body, test on body hardened at finished stage; TT72 & 74
TR0024 HT body, test on body hardened at finished stage. Also ejector trial.
TT64A, TT64B, TT64C, TT64D, TT64E to observe stretching of body
SR1 Sectionized rifle, to Senior Inspector, AIS
SR2 Sectionized rifle, to Senior Inspector, AIS SAF
SR3 Sectionized rifle, to Bandiana
SR4 Sectionized rifle, to Bandiana, for Melbourne Museum
SR5 Sectionized rifle, Factory inspection prototype
SR6 Sectionized rifle, Australian Trade Commissioner, New Zealand
SR7to SR18 Sectionized rifles, to Malaya
SR19 to SR27 Sectionized rifles, to New Zealand
SR28 Sectionized rifle, to Zambia
SR29 to SR36 Sectionized rifles, for factory personnel
SR37 to SR588 Sectionized rifles, service issue, some sold to collectors and museums
SR8800001 to SR8800010 were a special bi-centennial batch of L1A1 A sectionized rifles in 1988, also engraved 'AUSTRALIA'S BI-CENTENNIAL 1788-1988' over 'S.A.F. LITHGOW L1.A1. PRODUCTION 1958-1988' on the right side of the upper receiver. A special copper - bronze medallion was also inletted into the right side of the butt of these 10 rifles.

Lee Enfield Serial Number Lookup

Serial numbers for British made L1A1 rifles and Small Arms ran in blocks with factory code and year prefix followed by the serial number commencing with an alphabet letter e.g. UB60 A85830 (last rifle by BSA for the 2nd quarter 1960). Third quarter numbers commenced with A85831. The initial BSA batch of L1A1 rifles for the quarter ending December 31 in 1957 was UB57 A1 - A870. For the quarter ending April 30th 1960, numbers were UB60 A63625 - A75299. The last serial number for the quarter ending 31st July 1960 was UB60 A85830. An anomaly.. factory logged quarters ended with 30th April and 31st July???
'U' indicates UK. The next letter is the factory, 'E' for Enfield, 'F' for Fazakerley, 'B' for BSA Guns, 'S' for Sterling Engineering.
This was followed by the year indicator, e.g. '55' for 1955, then the serial number commencing with A1 which continued to A999,999 after which it advanced to a B prefix, starting with B1. The year indicator was irrespective of the serial number advance, e.g. the last rifle at Enfield in 1956 may have been UE 56 A2136, the first rifle in 1957 would thus be UE 57 A2137, until A999999 was reached after which the 'B' series was to be used commencing with B1, e.g. UF 68 B1.
Repaired weapons are marked with factory code, year and 'F.T.R.' adjacent to the original serial number. Where two or more types of weapons are manufactured or repaired at the same factor, a separate series of numbers will be maintained for each type of weapon, each commencing at A1.
For replacement numbers, i.e. unnumbered or illegible originals, SA prefixes were allocated for Army, SN for the Navy and SR for RAF. An example is an L1A1 returned by police in 1978 with an obliterated number was then engraved SA78 A1.
RSAF Enfield reported production of 103,400 L1A1 rifles, 108,300 L1A3 bayonets and 15,520 L1A2 grenade launchers by the end of the financial year 1961 for the War Office, Admiralty, Air Ministry, Ghana, Rhodesia, Nigeria and Singapore. Enfield FTR'd 10,000 No.4 Mk 2 rifles for Burma in that period, new No.4 rifles were made at ROF Fazakerley.