Lee-Enfield Manufacturer?

Question

Where can I look on my Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.IIII to find out who made it and when?

Answer 1

The major producers of the No.1 Mk. IV would be "Royal Ordnance Factory" Fazakerley United Kingdom, "Royal Ordnance Factory" Maltby United Kingdom, "Birmingham Small Arms Co. Ltd" United Kingdom, "Longbranch Arsenal" Canada, "Savage Arms" U.S., "Pakistani Ordnance Factory" Pakistan .

The markings for each will be on the reciever.
ROF (F) = Royal Ordnance Factory (Fazakerley - UK)
ROF (M) = Royal Ordnance Factory (Maltby - UK)
BSA Co = Birmingham Small Arms Co. Ltd (UK)
Longbranch Longbranch Arsenal Canada
US PROPERTY or [S] = Savage Arms (U.S.)
POF = Pakistani Ordnance Factory (Pakistan)

And possibly a very few made by Lithgow in Australia. I haven't seen one, so I can't tell you what markigns to look for.

Also on the reciever is generally a year of manufacture, on my savage model is a large "S", the serial number, a name (probably whoever was in charge of the arsenal at that time) and a year of manufacture, mine is 1942.

Answer 2

The right side of the band below the receiver that separates the two parts of the wood stock....that's where the info usually is on Enfields.

Post all you find written there and I can probably decipher.

Now, quick ID is rear sight location....is it on the barrel (SMLE....WWI era) or over the bolt (Enfield No 4.. WWII era)

Answer 3

I can't give you the actual answer, but I can tell you what I did.

I had a M-1 Carbine and wanted to know the same information you do. I called a local gun shop that specialized in WW2 firearms. He said to bring it in and he identified who made it and the exact year. You might be able to do the same, just call ahead to make sure it's okay.

Hope you find what your looking for!

Answer 4

Safe bet is New Bedford, England. They had lots of beech trees there, too, that became stocks for the No. 1.