303 Brit what do I have?

[Jniedbalski]

Have a 4 MK2 in 303 Brit. This one shoots really good . What can you tell me about the numbers. On the bolt head it has a #2 on it . The action has No 4 MK2 (F) . On the end of the firing pin release it has B65 On the left side .on the right 279114has F49 2 on the right side. It also has bp on the bolt in the long cut out. Hope the pictures turn out.on the bolt on the Handel it has C1 A 3. F165. A. 88

[Jniedbalski]

279115 more pictures 279117

[Der Gebirgsjager]

A little help: The "2" on the bolt head relates to the headspace. One with a minimum headspace is a "0", and a "3" is the highest. The bolt was designed to take increasingly larger bolt heads in those sizes, 0,1,2,3 as the chamber wore. However, many of them came from the arsenals with a bolt head larger than "0" to begin with due to slight differences in manufacture. After "3" there are no larger sizes, and to get less headspace one must re-barrel. No.4 Mk.2 (F) is the model number. The Mk.2 indicates that it differs from the original Mk.1 in that the trigger is mounted on the receiver rather than on the trigger guard. A Mk.1/2 is a Mk. 1 converted to a Mk.2. the (F) indicates manufacture at Fazakerley.

DG

[Jniedbalski]

Thanks. I knew about the bolt head number’s going up but not muck els . It also has these numbers on it. 279121

[Jniedbalski]

279123279122

[Jniedbalski]

Do you think the later built guns are better? This one I guess was built in the 50’s. I had a chance to buy a walnut stock one built in 43 or 44 some how I liked this one better. I got it in 1989 or so for the high price of 79$. I thank I ordered it from SOG in Ohio at the time.

[higgins]

the numbers on the barrel band could be inspection marks or manufacturers mark. The variety and number of numbers, marks, symbols, etc. on Enfields is a study unto itself. Considering how many countries they were used in, some of which had their own obscure marks in addition to markings used throughout the Empire, some are just a mystery.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Higgins is correct about the many obscure markings. Some of the components were marked with the maker's code. Some markings are inspection/inspector's markings. I'll bet if you take it out of the stock you'll find a bunch of markings on the bottom of the barrel just forward of the receiver, and most are inspector's marks of one sort or another. The mark in Post #4 looks like a British Proof Mark to me.

Your first photo in Post #2 which shows the left side of the receiver needs to be larger and clearer for a positive reading, but it looks like 4/50 which would be the date of manufacture, and some letters in a box. What are those letters? I also see the serial no.

DG

[Jniedbalski]

The left side of the receiver reads No 4 MK2 (f). Then below it has 4/50 PF in a three sided square. Then 19986# which is the serial no.

[Jniedbalski]

I also passed up a savage us made 303 years ago. It was 99$ in a local gun shop. It’s front forearm was cut down so no barrel bands and just a short forearm. But the rest of the gun was not touched and in very good shape. They were selling new compleat stocks in shotgun news for them at the time for 29$