SMLE ID help

[MtGun44]

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

[303Guy]

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).

[JeffinNZ]

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.

[Dead Dog Jack]

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.

[MtGun44]

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

Bill

[Dead Dog Jack]

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.

[MtGun44]

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

Bill