Help identifying marking on No 5 MK1

[ReefShark]

Hello friends,

I am trying to use the collective brain power of the forum today! I have a No 5 MK1 "Jungle Carbine" that has a painted military/company/regimental marking painted on the stock. It is a light blue triangle inside of a red triangle. I have perused websites for hours looking for information on the marking, but up until this point I have come up with nothing. I often wonder about it and am now reaching out to you for help! I thought maybe one of you would recognize it or at the very least know a source to use for more information. Here is a picture of the marking. Thanks all!

*insert dramatic music here!*

 

[11B3XCIB]

I have done a lot of looking around on this. I first checked into the military conflict usage of that rifle, and it was either used by British troops or a Commonwealth nation. As far as the shape and color of the unit marking, the shape corresponds to the type on unit (Infantry, Armor, etc) and the colors correspond to the seniority (the red border would signify the highest seniority). This is just what I've read...I can't verify any accuracy by any means. It could be a fire team's informal logo or something.

If you have any idea of the production year of that rifle, you can narrow down which conflict it might have been used in (WWII, Malaysian Emergency, etc) and go from there.

That's a cool piece of history you've got there.

 

[ReefShark]

Thanks my friend,

That is my next step...find a year of manufacture. I truly appreciate it!

 

[ReefShark]

Did some research and this No 5 MK 1 was made in Fazakerley (suburb of Liverpoole) England in March of 1945.

The plot thickens...

If anyone has any more information...it is always appreciated.

 

[Midnight Raver]

Could have been used by Brits, Indians, Ausies perhaps. Checking into the Pacific/CBI theaters OB(order of battle) would be belpful, that will yield regiment/division designations. Then move forward from there somehow. I have an extensive library upstairs that might help out somewhat. One book in particular has many regimental markings, see if you can get a closer picture of the marking for me. Give me some time and I will see what I can sniff out for this hunt. Will check back, hopefully we can all find out before the weekend is out!

This will be fun AND educational! :ugeek:

 

[ReefShark]

Interesting...I am working on a closer photo...I can tell you that after an even closer look, I think the inner triangle is actually a light green...not blue.

Also, there are two small stamps on the wood behind the regimental marking. One says L3 and the other is a crown.

Pics to follow...

 

[11B3XCIB]

I've seen a British Mechanized Brigade with a green triangle/red border.

Also, I swear I read something about the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and that patch as well, green signifying riflemen, and the border seniority of the regiment. Also, Brits use a crown in their rank structure, represents a Major, but don't know if it's linked to the "L3".

 

[11B3XCIB]

Is there a serial number on the rifle? If you don't want to put it out there, PM me and I'll see if I can find anything based on that.

 

[ReefShark]

Sure is...the serial number is H7926

 

[Midnight Raver]

Myself and my books await...

I have a book with all UK infantry regiments from WWII awaiting a clear shot at those markings!

I'm chomping at the bit!!! :ugeek:

 

[ReefShark]

Here is a little closer look...the stamps in the wood are above the paint...

 

[ReefShark]

Sorry, forgot to add the image code.

 

[Midnight Raver]

The crown and the leaf are proof marks from manufacturing I believe. As for the gold triangle with red around it, I have no clue. On british vehicles of the period they would use triangles, squares, circles, and diamonds for troop markings- diamonds being HQ ones. Not sure if infantry goes by that unless maybe they were mechanized ones in universal carriers(also known as bren gun carriers). I'm working on the regiments to find out where they served to narrow it down. If it was made when you said it probably caught the very end of the war and/or was used during clean up operations and occupation time.

Still digging!

 

[11B3XCIB]

Is there anything stamped on the left receiver wall?

From what I've come up with, it was probably manufactured at the Royal Ordnance Factory( ROF) in Fazakerley, England some time in Spring of 1945 based on your serial #. This means it was not used in WWII, but could have seen service in the Malayan Emergency (1948+).

 

[ReefShark]

It was definitely made in March of 1945. "3/45" is stamped before the SN. And all of the date of manufacture listings online match the SN. Thanks fellas for the detective work on this!...Jeff.

 

[ReefShark]

This little beauty is now listed in the For Sale section. Thanks again everyone...Jeff.