SMLE ID help

OK, I need some help identifying one of my SMLE's. I think our Commonwealth
members will probably know every detail about these rifles.

First, the markings are nearly invisible, I have never seen a military rifle with
such tiny, shallow, hand scratched-on (looking) markings. It takes a bright
light at the edge to even read them. At first glance it looks like it is totally
unmarked.

Here they are: N. 4 Mk 1 F(FTR) 49 below that is LB20XX which I assume
is the serial number. - clearly it is a No. 4 Mk 1 ( I knew that already) but not
sure what the F (FTR) 49 means. Is this a rebuild date?

I am guessing that because it also says: No 4 Mk 1 ROF (F) 1/44

So, I'm guessing it was built in Jan 44 and rebuilt in 49. No idea what
the ROF (F) may mean - maybe where it was made. I'm guessing that if
it was built in Jan 44 and then rebuilt 5 yrs later it may have seen combat
use, but of course it may have been used in training and worn out that
way.

Any help would be appreciated.

Bill

To be technically correct, the No4 is not an SMLE. The SMLE is a NoI MkIII (Roman numerals used). There are tree basic Lee Enfields, the LE I, the SMLE and the No4. Then there was the Jungle carbine or No5. There was also a Cavalry carbine which was the carbine version of the LE I (Lee Enfield Mk I).

Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley, 1944, refurb 1949. FTR means Factory Thorough Repair. You may have a No4 Mk1/2 or Mk 1/3. If you do some surfing Bill you will see the No4's had some work done on triggers etc hence the additional marks.

JeffinNZ is correct on the meanings of ROF and FTR. However, I don't think it is a 1/2 or a 1/3.

The quickest and easiest way to tell if it was indeed upgraded to the Mk 2 platform is to take the trigger guard off. If the trigger is pinned to the trigger guard it is still the Mk 1 platform. I haven't seen any upgraded ones that were not marked on the side (electro-etching) with the proper identification. Conversely, I've seen tons that were FTR'd and not upgraded.

Thanks, guys. I'll look up what the 1/2 and 1/3 means.

Bill

The 1/2 and 1/3 refer to upgraded No. 4 rifles to the Mk 2 standard. This involves changing the trigger from being connected to the trigger guard, to being hung on the bottom of the receiver itself.

A No. 4 Mk 1 so upgraded would be renamed No. 4 Mk 1/2.
A No. 4 Mk 1* so upgraded would be renamed No. 4 Mk 1/3.

In both instances it should be electro-penciled on the side of the receiver.

Far from home now, will check when I get home.

Bill