British, WW2-1944, No.4 Mk I Lee-Enfield Rifle Grenade Launcher, ROF Maltby, Serial No. BU12685,  Original No.3 Mk I Cup Discharger, Wire-Reinforced Fore-end, Cocking & Dry-Firing, UK Deactivated

*British, WW2-1944, No.4 Mk I Lee-Enfield Rifle Grenade Launcher, ROF Maltby, Serial No. BU12685,  Original No.3 Mk I Cup Discharger, Wire-Reinforced Fore-end, Cocking & Dry-Firing, UK Deactivated*

- Scarce 1944 ROF Maltby No.4 Mk I Lee-Enfield
- Officially configured as a rifle grenade launcher with original No.3 Mk I cup discharger
- Retains the desirable copper wire-reinforced fore-end, fitted for grenade-launching service
- Fitted with a military-pattern recoil-reducing rubber butt pad
- Original 1944 dated receiver with matching receiver and butt socket serial number BU12685
- Post-war Factory Thorough Repair (FTR), almost certainly undertaken at ROF Fazakerley
- Original wartime walnut furniture with painted armoury rack number 5 / 34
- Original magazine retaining red military paint
- Complete with Birmingham Proof House Deactivation Certificate dated 11 October 2021
- Retains full mechanical display functionality under current UK specifications, with the bolt cycling correctly, the action cocking and the rifle dry-firing

An original British World War II No.4 Mk I Lee-Enfield Rifle Grenade Launcher, manufactured by Royal Ordnance Factory Maltby during 1944 and retaining its original No.3 Mk I cup grenade discharger together with the distinctive wire-reinforced fore-end associated with dedicated grenade-launching rifles.

The left side of the butt socket is clearly marked M 1944, together with the British Broad Arrow and serial number BU12685, identifying the rifle as wartime production from ROF Maltby, one of Britain's principal wartime "shadow factories". The receiver is faintly marked No.4 Mk I and retains the matching serial number BU12685, while also displaying a lightly struck FTR marking, almost certainly indicating that the rifle subsequently underwent an official Factory Thorough Repair at ROF Fazakerley following wartime service. Such comprehensive arsenal rebuilds were standard British military practice and often incorporated replacement components where necessary.

The bolt handle is separately numbered 19567, indicating a replacement service bolt fitted during military refurbishment, a perfectly normal feature on rifles that remained in military inventories for many years.

The most striking feature of this rifle is its complete grenade-launching equipment. It remains fitted with its original No.3 Mk I cup discharger, securely mounted to the muzzle, together with the characteristic copper wire-bound fore-end. This reinforcement was an official military modification intended to strengthen the wooden fore-end against the considerable recoil generated when launching rifle grenades using blank cartridges. The copper binding on this example remains exceptionally tight, complete and undisturbed, while the discharger itself displays an attractive, even military patina entirely consistent with the rifle. The grenade cup carries the stamped numbers 4954 and 2685.

The rifle is fitted with a military-pattern rubber recoil pad housed within a wrap-around steel buttplate assembly, replacing the standard No.4 steel buttplate. This recoil-reducing arrangement is entirely consistent with rifles configured for grenade-launching duties, helping absorb the substantial recoil generated during firing. Combined with the original copper wire-reinforced fore-end and No.3 Mk I cup discharger, it further reflects the rifle's specialised military role.

The original magazine remains fitted and retains an old red-painted finish, almost certainly representing an armoury or military identification applied during its service life. The walnut buttstock retains period-applied white painted armoury inventory markings, including the rack number "5 / 34" to the right side together with a further painted "2" beneath the butt. Such markings were commonly applied by British military and cadet armouries for weapon identification and add further evidence of the rifle's long service history.

Overall, this is an attractive, honest and increasingly scarce complete grenade-launching Lee-Enfield, retaining the features collectors most seek but which are often absent from surviving examples.

Approximate Measurements: Overall length: 93.5 cm. Barrel length (including grenade discharger): 45.8 cm (18")

History Note:
The Rifle No.4 Mk I replaced the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield as Britain's principal infantry rifle during the Second World War. Manufactured by Royal Ordnance Factory Maltby in South Yorkshire, it became one of the most widely issued British service rifles, seeing combat across every major theatre of the conflict.

Alongside its role as a standard infantry rifle, the No.4 was adapted for launching rifle grenades using the No.3 Mk I cup discharger, introduced during 1942. Mounted directly to the rifle's bayonet lugs, the launcher enabled anti-personnel, anti-tank and smoke rifle grenades to be projected using specialised blank cartridges. The tremendous recoil generated during firing required additional strengthening of the wooden fore-end, resulting in the distinctive copper wire reinforcement fitted to dedicated grenade-launching rifles.

Following the war, thousands of Lee-Enfields underwent Factory Thorough Repair (FTR) programmes at Royal Ordnance Factories including Fazakerley. During these overhauls rifles were fully inspected, rebuilt and updated for continued military service, with replacement parts fitted as required. The combination of original Maltby manufacture together with later Fazakerley refurbishment reflects exactly the sort of long military service expected of British post-war Lee-Enfields.

*Condition*
Presented in very good original military condition with honest service wear throughout. The metalwork retains an attractive military finish with even age-related patina, light handling marks and scattered areas of finish wear entirely consistent with wartime and post-war service. The copper wire reinforcement remains exceptionally well preserved, tightly wound and complete throughout with no loose or damaged sections. The No.3 Mk I grenade discharger retains an attractive aged finish matching the rifle, with its locking collar and securing screw remaining in place. The painted butt rack number 5 / 34 survives clearly, while the magazine retains its old red-painted finish. The receiver markings remain legible despite age and service wear, including the 1944 date, Broad Arrow and serial number BU12685. Mechanically, the rifle retains excellent display functionality. The bolt cycles smoothly, the action cocks correctly and the trigger releases to dry-fire. The original magazine remains fitted but could not be removed during inspection. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

Deactivation:
Permanently deactivated to current UK legal standards while retaining highly desirable mechanical display characteristics. Unlike many modern automatic deactivations, this bolt-action example allows the bolt to cycle, the action to cock, and the trigger to dry-fire. Supplied with its original Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House Deactivation Certificate dated 11 October 2021 (Proof House reference CG165030). The certificate records the firearm as an Enfield Grenade Launcher, serial number 12685, calibre .303, barrel length 18 inches and country of origin United Kingdom.

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