The accuracy the No4 was expected to achieve was hitting a 6×4 inch plate at 100 yards. 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. 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. But those issues are better suited to be explored in No4Mk1*. However luxuries like that were soon to be a thing of the past.
The walnut would have been suitably seasoned and prepared years in advance. Earlier less hurried times would have seen wood such as French or European walnut being used. The woodwork of the early No4 was that of beech or birch. Top, Lee Enfield No4 MK2, Bottom Lee Enfield No4 Mk1 An improved graduated rear flip-up sight called the singer sight was graduated from 200yds to 1300yds in 50 yd graduations. The reduced weight in the nose cap allowed the rifle to balance and come up to the aim quicker. Improvements in the bedding and a heavier barrel, coupled with a longer sight picture gave the Allied soldier a battle rifle with great potential. Depressing this allowed the bolt to be removed from the rifle. It is a spring-loaded catch just rearward of the charger guide on the right hand side the receiver. The main way in which to easily differentiate the models is the bolt head release mechanism.
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. This does have the squared cocking piece, the MKII. But these early US marked No4MkI’s will be rather limited in numbers. But again, a very stylised square S or the US flaming proof mark may well give it away. Well it should have it stamped there! I’ve had stories recounted to me that some units removed the marks. PROPERTY stamped across left part of the receiver. The US made No4MkI’s were produced under the lend-lease agreement and as such will have U.S. 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.Ĭanadian 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*. Numbered serials starting with 1 indicated ROF Maltby, 2 indicated ROF Fazakerley and 3 indicated BSA Shirley. The British made No4MkI’s use a prefix and number – (Alpha numerical) system to identify manufacturer. Now this only equates to British No4MkI here.
#LEE ENFIELD SERIAL NUMBER LOOK UP SERIAL NUMBERS#
To work out which factory that your Lee Enfield No4 was made is to look at wrist markings where the serial numbers are. 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. Lee Enfield No4MkI’s were made by several factories during the 2 nd World War.