1940 Savage no. 4 mk1?

[clarkmilitaria]

Hello,

I know a gun store owner that recently had someone walk in to his store and offer him a No. 4 Mk. 1 Enfield. He does not really like or know foreign guns, he likes U.S. guns more, but since the Enfield said "U.S. Property" on the side, he bought it for his private collection. I looked at it very briefly and saw that it was Savage made in 1940.

Here is my question: Is it a possibility that Savage made these in 1940? I have done a lot of research and have come up with only the information that a Savage 1941 no 4 mk1 is early, and more valuable than a mk1*, therefore a 1940 example would be very early on, would it not? Throughout my research I did not find one from 1940, so naturally I did not find a price. Any ideas on a ballpark price? Sorry, I cannot say if parts were all S marked and/or matching, like I said, it was only a very brief look.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
Jim

Information

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[conec]

Skennerton says that the Chicopee rifles were approved for production on June 14th, 1941. I have never seen a 1940 dated Savage.

[conec]

Did the serial number on the wrist look anything like this?

This is on a 1942 dated No.4Mk1 - the example you describe would have to be a 0C rifle (unless it's really a No.1... )

[tlvaughn]

The first rifle produced was proofed and fired on July 25th, 1941. Rifle 0C1 (Rifle #1) is a 1941 dated rifle and belongs to a member of this forum, so a 1940 dated Savage would be very unusual. Any chance you can get some pictures and post them?

[clarkmilitaria]

I'll try to get some pictures and post them, but I can't say for sure when that'll happen. The dealer lives around 45 minutes away, so I don't know If I'll make that drive tomorrow just for pictures. When I go up there next, I'll be sure to bring the camera and take a closer look. I thought I read that no. 4's were offically adopted in 1941 but made and issued as early as 1939, but I can't back that up as solid information and I trust your information more...thanks for the input so far.

[clarkmilitaria]

When I do go to take photos, are there any particular spots besides serial numbers and the wrist and receiver markings you would want to see?

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

If it's for sure 1940 then we demand to see everything

[tlvaughn]

Attachment 27255

When I do go to take photos, are there any particular spots besides serial numbers and the wrist and receiver markings you would want to see?

I would want to see the markings on the left side receiver and butt socket. The markings on the 1941-42 MkI's look like the attached pics.

[clarkmilitaria]

Here's what I found: "By the late 1930s the need for new rifles grew, and the Rifle, No. 4 Mk I was first issued in 1939 but not officially adopted until 1941." The citation for this is:
Skennerton (1994, 2), p.5
I got it from wikipedia...I know a lot of people say that it is not reliable, but if that info really comes from Skennerton's book I would assume it is accurate. Does anyone have that book to reference it?
Lee-Enfield - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
under Rifle no. 4, first sentence.

[jrhead75]

Per Skennerton's "The Lee Enfield" (2007), pg. 310..."The first Stevens Savage .303 No,4 Mk1 rifle was test fired on Friday, July 25th 1941 at the Chicopee Falls plant..."