Deactivated WW2 British Lee Enfield No4 MKI converted to L59A1 Drill Rifle - Navy Marked

This is a fascinating Second World War British manufactured Lee Enfield No4 MK1 rifle - Royal Navy marked. The markings indicate that is was made 1944, and later FTR (Factory Through Repaired) twice at the ROF Fazakerley. This denotes that it saw wartime service and was then repaired, and or mare than one occasion!! With the introduction of the SLR L1A1 in the 1950s, the No4 was eventually retired from service and during the 1970s and 1980s quantities of these rifles were converted for drill and training purposes for the army, navy and RAF cadet forces. These conversions can be found in a variety of specifications and condition, depending on the army works that carried out the work. Some were completed scrubbed of all markings whilst others, as with this example still retaining some of their WW2 issue dates and rework markings. On this rifle the original wartime markings have been partially and somewhat crudely scrubbed off with just the (F) (FTR) remaining however, look more closely and you'll see that their actually two sets of (F) (FTR) markings - one on the top of the other. This rifle may well have seen service AGAIN post WW2 hence the second visit for further repair!!  The magazine has been modified so that it can not accept 303 rounds. This looks to have been done as part of the MOD deactivation. The magazine follower has been shortened and a restrictive front lip added. It still functions as a magazine. The capital letter N on the received is that of the Royal Navy who would have used this rifle for training.

The small machined cut out sections were to weaken the receiver, an MOD form of deactivation. A fascinating rifle that saw service during WW2 and possible after, but also continued to be used by countless cadets well into the 1990s. The No4 often being the first rifle these young men and women got to handle. Deactivated with a working action.