MARKINGS

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I know the answers are probably in Ian Skennertons book BUT I don't get that till Christmas IF I am lucky!! So come on guys, help me out a bit please

24626151 · Post by **24626151** » Thu May 08, 2008 2:48 pm

OK at first glance the DP looks like bad news but it seems it may not even be a DP. The crown will appear as wiii inspector marks and crows foot stamp. The M47 I think is BSA, the letter after denotes factory but you dont seem to have one!

The lower sling swivel isnt correct but neither is the calibre so I wouldnt worry!

No explanation for the B on the barrel knox form as its usually found on a No4 butt for bantam or magazine as interchangeable.

The A prefix serial number is interesting as it would indicate that the bolt came from a ROF factory either Maltby or Fazakerly but is still wartime production.

A 3 on the mag platform usually indicates type 3 platform but usually only in SMLEs.

Best of luck, its difficult reading book, commenting then going back to edit and review the pics. have fun!

Post by **DuncaninFrance** » Thu May 08, 2008 4:22 pm

Thanks mate, appreciate your time and help on this one.

As I previously said, this is supposed to have been dropped to the French Resistance in 1944, near to Royan in Charente-Maritime

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Fri May 09, 2008 3:37 am

Can't add much to what 24626151 has already said.

SM I think is Singer Manufacturing.

S76 is Metal Box Co Ltd, London.

S126 is C.E. Welstead, Croydon.

I was a good boy in a previous life and have Skennerton

And it's an odd place to put a DP stamp under the receiver covered by the woodwork.

Excellent photo's by the way.

Post by **DuncaninFrance** » Fri May 09, 2008 11:53 am

WHAT DOES 'DP' STAND FOR? SOUNDS TERMINAL!

Post by **Niner** » Fri May 09, 2008 3:20 pm

One version is Drill Purpose only. Meaning not really up to firing standards. Used to see some for sale with different color bands on the stocks.

belgmart · Post by **belgmart** » Sat May 10, 2008 4:46 am

Yes,

But when the DP applies to the rifle, it is put on a visible place on the rifle itself - and not on the mag base... Sounds more like it is for the mag.

FWIW, DP doesn't necessarily mean 'unfit to fire' - it was also used for obsolete arms which were not being used (and maintained) for firing.

krinko · Post by **krinko** » Sat May 10, 2008 3:48 pm

W&TA is W.&T. Avery of Birmingham----I have one of the same, dismounted for cleaning, sitting on the desk in front of me,

The "B" on the barrel means the same as it does on the safety lever and bolthead and wherever else you may find it----it's a BSA Shirley mark.

The magazine folower is from a No1 MkIII magazine---is the rest of the magazine for a No4 or not? Looks like it is, but it's not completely clear.

The buttswivel is correct---one of several variations and the cheapest of the lot. I have it on two 1944 BSA No4s.

If the rifle was reproofed when converted to the new caliber, I would not worry about the DP---and I probably wouldn't worry anyway.

-----krinko

24626151 · Post by **24626151** » Sun May 11, 2008 12:14 pm

krinko wrote:W&TA is W.&T. Avery of Birmingham----I have one of the same, dismounted for cleaning, sitting on the desk in front of me,
The "B" on the barrel means the same as it does on the safety lever and bolthead and wherever else you may find it----it's a BSA Shirley mark.
The magazine folower is from a No1 MkIII magazine---is the rest of the magazine for a No4 or not? Looks like it is, but it's not completely clear.
The buttswivel is correct---one of several variations and the cheapest of the lot. I have it on two 1944 BSA No4s.
If the rifle was reproofed when converted to the new caliber, I would not worry about the DP---and I probably wouldn't worry anyway.
-----krinko

Thanks for that I hadnt seen those before but looking back all my spares were SMLE ones!

Post by **DuncaninFrance** » Sun May 11, 2008 2:12 pm

Thanks so far everyone. Now - what does this mean please?

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