Help – What’s This Mongrel (T)’s Parentage.

[Kysusha]

I saw a No4 (T) in a guys firearms safe and fell in love – as you do! She was real pretty, beautiful woodwork – no nicks, dings and scratches – a well cared for beauty. [Should have alerted me!]. Anyway – love is blind and I promptly put my hand in my pocket and forked out for this rifle.

At home, while cleaning it before storing it, I was puzzled by the lack of stencilling on the woodwork – not even a [Broad Arrow]. Then came the first real doubts about my beauty – she wasn’t what she appeared to be. There was no (T) on the body of the action. I put it way and quietly pondered my purchase.

I had an opportunity to shoot on the Army Snipers course, demonstrated the SVD and the No.4. The No4 (T?) I had shot well and I hit clay pigeons at 550 metres with service ball ammunition; what the hell… can’t be too bad then, can it?

The doubts persisted and finally I got hold of Peter Laidler’s book “.303 No4 (T) Sniper Rifle” [great book, I also got Ian Skennerton’s “The Lee Enfield” also a mighty fine book and I’d highly recommend it to anyone interested in the .303]. Following Peter’s comments I came across definitive proof, mine is a forgery! “No Fazakerley made rifles were converted to (T) specification” page 36!!!. My beautiful (T) is from Fazakerley.

So, I would like to see if I can trace the origins of this mongrel. I will tell you what marks I have been able to see in it.

Between the pads –
No4 Mk1/2 (F) FTR
/51 AF13308

On the band –
1942
AF 13308

On the Sight –
OS 1650 A
1944 No.15742

On the Bracket –
…1741
JG

On the barrel / chamber –
ENGLAND
Regulated BY Fulton

There is soo much knowledge here on this site that I am sure someone can put me right on this (T). And No, I am keeping it – it is so good to shoot and has a very good barrel. She maybe a dressed up tart, but she can make a man feel good!!!

PS, I posted two photos in the Photo gallery [don't know how to put them in this post].

Information

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[Badger]

To learn more about about how to handle pics, please read this thread in the Q&A - Help Forums, which also appears as a "sticky" thread at the top of every forum on the site.

How do I upload pictures to my posts for storage on milsurps.com? (click here)

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If you still have problems, email them to me at badger@milsurps.com and I'll resize them for you, then post them in the thread under your name

Regards,
Doug

[Maxwell Smart]

The markings you have listed tell me that your rifle was CONVERTED by ROF Fazakerley to have the hung trigger set up in 1951. It may not have been MADE there...

I think that the serial number will give a clue; it is possibly a Maltby made rifle (others may be be able to comment more here). If it was made at Maltby then it could well have been made into a "T", although the lack of other stamps looks to be a concern.

Anyway, it looks like a nice rifle, and if it shoots well so much the better.

[Kysusha]

Thanks Badger - my Pine and Jarrah case dosen't look too bad either!

---------- Post added at 11:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:04 PM ----------

The markings you have listed tell me that your rifle was CONVERTED by ROF Fazakerley to have the hung trigger set up in 1951. It may not have been MADE there...

I think that the serial number will give a clue; it is possibly a Maltby made rifle (others may be be able to comment more here). If it was made at Maltby then it could well have been made into a "T", although the lack of other stamps looks to be a concern.

Thanks 86 - Yeah it does shoot well and that is it's saving grace. [Coupled with the fact that it also looks nice].

What do you think is with the "Regulated by Fulton" - he wasn't with H + H was he??

[Beerhunter]

What do you think is with the "Regulated by Fulton" - he wasn't with H + H was he??

Fulton's is the gun shop that is on site at Bisley Camp in England.

Fulton Regulated gets discussed here form time to time so I suggest you do a search and then post back for any clarification

[RJW NZ]

Fultons No4's are not common and are a darn fine rifle, having a made up T based on one is far from a bad thing, the only question for you to solve is if you paid for a T price wise and didn't get one, and next, whether the seller was honest or deceitful.
I once had a made up T, built up on an old T receiver and barrel, selling that was a mistake I still regret.
Welcome to the forum, I'm in west ork-land. RJW NZ

[Kysusha]

Fulton Regulated gets discussed here form time to time so I suggest you do a search and then post back for any clarification

Thanks mate - yeah there is soo much information available on this site; all most too mutch to digest! I stumbbled upon ths site and was amazed at the depth of knolwedge here.

---------- Post added at 11:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ----------

Fultons No4's are not common and are a darn fine rifle, having a made up T based on one is far from a bad thing, the only question for you to solve is if you paid for a T price wise and didn't get one, and next, whether the seller was honest or deceitful.
I once had a made up T, built up on an old T receiver and barrel, selling that was a mistake I still regret.
Welcome to the forum, I'm in west ork-land. RJW NZ

Greetings – I’m in Wangavagas.

Not sure what I should have paid for this rifle. It really was one of those “spur of the moment issues”. I’ll come clean here – I paid $NZ1,200 and was really pleased. Having later discovered that it was not a “real (T)” has taken the gloss off it somewhat but it is still a piece of beauty. The seller never actually said it was (T) – he let me say that it was – I suspect he already knew!

This bit about “Regulated by Fulton” has always had a bit of an “Air of Mystery” for me; good to hear something concrete about it now though. I’ll do some research on this site and see what I can find out about the guy and his work. I don’t suppose he is still around??

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I would probably pay $915.39 USD for one that nice T or no T assuming it has a good bore. I would think the original scope and mount + the current value of a very nice #4 would make it a fairly resonable price. Nice photos. Thanks for sharing.

[vintage hunter]

You did'nt do too bad, the Watson Mk.II scope and bracket are worth $1200+ easy.

[Mr303]

The rifle may not be genuine, but I think you still did very well. And far less pain on the wallet!