possible Maltby N04........

[Mons 1914]

Early dated 1942 No4 Rifle, I can't work out the butt socket serial number, could it be a letter O suffix ? Maltby started with a 1 in the first digit the small markS next to the date seams to be broad arrows.. or IS it an M & Y which is some times associated with Maltby made examples?
Front under side wood is stamped with a Maltby serial Number - BA 14579..

Butt is stamped - KKD 4.45.

Scott

[Mons 1914]

Closer

[Mons 1914]

3.

[Mons 1914]

4.

Could this be from a No4 T, don't think they stampted "normal" No4 furniture?
Or FTR?

[Mons 1914]

5.

[Tim G]

4.

Could this be from a No4 T, don't think they stampted "normal" No4 furniture?
Or FTR?

Not at all, the rifle is a 42 dated example. Not unusual for the earlier specimens to have the furniture marked up with the serial number.

I have a 41 dated No 4 with all of the trails rifle features and this is marked up in a similar manner.

I am looking into the butt markings to see if i can pic the bones out of it .
Most likely unit markings as i would expect the FTR info to be on the flank of the breech along with the Mk 1 designation.
The only other FTR info i have seen like that was actually on the butt of a No4 T but it definatley indicated base overhaul as opposed to Factory Thorough Repair.

Hope this helps a bit.
regards
Tim

[Mons 1914]

Hi Tim,
Thanks for the info, Re: the unit marks would this also relate to the possible date of 4.45?

[Tim G]

Hi Tim,
Thanks for the info, Re: the unit marks would this also relate to the possible date of 4.45?

Indeed, i would fully expect that to represent a date, i am however haveing problems with the rest of it , ie the KKD ( KD as an item "could" represent the Kings Dragoons ....More normally indicated by KDG however ive never seen it combined with a date reference. ) I have an aquantance who is a service armourer and i will ask about the letters . Cant imagine what they might refer
to as ive hung around a few armourers in my time in the mob as a shooting team coach tweaking the old bullet chuckers !

I have seen a sniper with repair info on the butt like that butt as i said the markings indicated Base Workshop ie BW then a date .

Will post again when i contact him.
regards

Nice rifle by the way , any full pics ?

[Mons 1914]

Tim,

I've emailed Ian Skennerton he thinks KKD, could be King's Dragoon Guards, or a depot in India - Kirkee Depot (a refurbishing depot in India)....

Scott