Deactivated Firearms

Lee-Enfield serial number N37502, marked with "BE M47C BSA Shirley 1944," indicates a    BSA Shirley produced No. 4 Mk I Lee-Enfield rifle, manufactured in 1944, with the "N" prefix designating the year 1944, the "BE" or "3" factory code for Shirley, and "N37502" as its specific serial number within that batch, a common system for wartime production.    Decoding Your Rifle's Markings:   N37502: The serial number; the "N" prefix signifies the year 1944.   BE: This often indicates the specific factory block, with "B" for BSA and "E" sometimes used for Enfield, but here it relates to BSA Shirley production.   M47C: This is the specific pattern or mark code for the rifle.   BSA Shirley: Confirms the manufacturer (Birmingham Small Arms) and the specific facility (Shirley Works).   1944: The year of manufacture.    Key Takeaways:   Manufacturer: BSA Shirley (Birmingham Small Arms).   Model: Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I.   Year: 1944.   Serial System: Wartime No. 4 rifles used letter prefixes for years (like N for 1944) and numbers, often with factory codes like '3' or 'BE' for Shirley.    This rifle is a classic example of the mass-produced Lee-Enfields from World War II, built for the British war effort. 

This WW2 Mk I Bren Gun's  Markings & Service History The markings on this WW2 Mk I Bren gun indicate a notable service history involving British manufacture and subsequent Australian military use, likely following a factory rebuild or ordnance repair. Markings Breakdown “ED” Marking The ED mark is associated with the Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF), Enfield, in the United Kingdom. RSAF Enfield was one of the primary manufacturers of Bren guns during the Second World War. The name “Bren” itself derives from Brno (Czechoslovakia, where the original design originated) and Enfield (where British production took place). “1942” Date This date indicates the year of manufacture or a major factory refit/inspection. 1942 was a peak year for Bren production as demand increased during the war. Serial Number “U5570” The “U” prefix is consistent with British-produced Bren guns. The serial number identifies the receiver body and reflects the weapon’s original UK service life before later reissue or transfer. “X” Mark on the Butt An “X” marking on British and Commonwealth firearms typically denotes an inspection, repair, or modification. On wooden furniture such as the butt, it can indicate a component that was replaced, repaired, or re-fitted during service rather than a fault marking. Crossed Swords Stamps The crossed swords are British ordnance inspection and acceptance marks, applied after proofing and final inspection. These stamps confirm that the weapon met military standards and was formally accepted into service. Australian Army Tag The presence of an Australian Army identification tag strongly indicates post-manufacture service with Australian forces. During and after WWII, large numbers of British-made Bren guns were shipped to Australia, where they were issued, refurbished, or rebuilt by Australian ordnance facilities. Such weapons are often found with additional Australian markings (e.g. Broad Arrow, “MA” for Lithgow/Maribyrnong), though not all examples carry them. Summary of Service History This Bren gun began its service life as a British-manufactured Mk I Bren produced at RSAF Enfield in 1942. It was later transferred to Australian military service, likely following inspection or rebuild, where it continued its operational or reserve use. Condition & Accessories Strippable Dry-fires Matching serial numbers Magazine box with 11 magazines Cleaning kit included Supplied with Deactivation Certificate Historical Significance This Bren gun represents a well-documented example of Commonwealth wartime logistics, illustrating how British small arms were redistributed across Allied forces. Its markings reflect multiple stages of service, inspection, and reissue—making it a particularly interesting and authentic historical piece.