No 4T new to my family

[BurtonP]

Hi all. Today I got to take apart and do a thorough search of the stamps on this 1944 BSA No 4T that a family member bought. I'm convinced it is legit, or at least it satisfies the checklists posted on this site. It has a scope matched to the rifle and most of the accessories in the travel chest, so is really a sweet rifle.




One thing I was surprised by was the variety of parts from different manufacturers. It had Longbranch, Savage and Maltby parts that I noticed in a quick perusal.

More concerning was that it had a few issues with the bedding:
-The down pressure of the barrel at the nosecap was weak.
-The trigger guard had a small seesaw action.
-I could see light between the forestock and wrist.

Am I right in thinking that these all might indicate that the forestock isn't original?
I don't think it matters one bit to my family member, but I'd appreciate suggestions about how or when this might have occurred.

Cheers,
Burton

[Lee Enfield]

Hello Burton, I won't comment on your rifle right now.
I will however comment on the 'collectors checklists" you refer to.

Unfortunately, they are garbage for 2 main reasons:
1. They reflect only BSA /H&H rifles from 1944 thru 1946.
2. The fakers, people trying to "correct" their rifles and others have used them to fake markings.
This has resulted in completely correct rifles being marked with totally incorrect markings.

[BurtonP]

Thanks, and yes I was aware of some of this when I was asked to look at it. I will say that for exactly this reason I was relieved that it was a 1944 BSA rifle.

[Atticus Thraxx]

I can’t speak to the specifics of the question and Lee Enfields comment trumps all on this, but if this rifle truly is a mish mash of parts and it’s collectibility or historical importance is compromised, they may have a unique opportunity to work it into an acceptable target rifle without fear of doing a ‘ bubba”. I sigh when I look at my all matching (T) because it’s not even close to the most accurate No.4 I have. Can’t really touch it though, all matching.?

[Bindi2]

The armourers did not match makers when they repaired rifles the next part in the bin was used. Also parts were moved around to keep production going. There was many small outside work shops making parts as well. Making a rifle match may well be a BUBBA job.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Has the front trigger guard screw/swivel been replaced by a Parker-Hale item?

[BurtonP]

Has the front trigger guard screw/swivel been replaced by a Parker-Hale item?

It has, yes.

[BurtonP]

Other pics of the pads etc.

[Surpmil]

Other pics of the pads etc.

I'm afraid not even the rifle looks genuine. Pads located where they are presumably because fitter of same did not have means to mill flats and so set back onto the closest flat-ish spot. Looks like a re-used original front pad though. Rear pad was done "recently" as the cold blue and misaligned screws suggest. Replacement knob welded on the bolt handle or welded up to a be a full round?

[BurtonP]

Replacement knob welded on the bolt handle or welded up to a be a full round?

I think it's a replacement bolt that's been scrubbed and re-numbered with that very unusual serial number to match the rifle TBH.