Feel Like being ill? Then see this...what do people think?

[Paul S.]

... but you could call it a true victimless 'crime'.

We could and probably would, but the powers that be wouldn't. Apparently, the thinking here is that there is no such thing as a victimless crime.

[newcastle]

My two cents is treat it like a deer rifle. To redo it is creating a false representation of an item which might muddy the waters further in years to come.

[Nickjc]

its just a bloody shame....I guess if it was done in the 60's who knew what they would be worth from a monetary and historical perspective....back then no one wanted a war relic being the emotions were still high after the war(s)...

It will stay as is....I am most likely going to grab it so no one cuts it up more....

Hopefully she at least shoots decently.....

I just hate the things folks do to old gals....the things that come into the shop i frequent and the things they ask to be done to some old guns is frightening....

[PrinzEugen]

Depending on the price I reckon I'd probably buy it (and if I lived in the US where slots on licences don't matter) - at the end of the day it's still a 4t!

[Peter Laidler]

Going back to the 'clone-it' idea. Taking another look at the photos, it LOOKS like the previous owner already has obliterated the number. Seems as though the alphabet men don't seem to mind that much.

Talking of which, I was at Grizzly Bisley this afternoon and looked at a distant friends No4 rifle out of a misguided bit of interest (the forend was slopping around like a sausage in the High Street.....) There it was, a Mk1, with a serial number stamped not too tidily into on the butt socket of 66Lxxxx. Seems like we don't seem too bothered either!

[bigduke6]

To redo it is creating a false representation of an item which might muddy the waters further in years to come.

Can understand that line of thinking, but I would stick my neck out here and say Most No4T,s have had a redo at some point, I,m sure the resident Armourers would agree ?

Its just the rifle in question needs a little bit more than a redo, myself I would buy it, but as its had a hard life there is no problem with bringing this into something like it was made to be, even in a reduced calibre, as for the future, I suspect there are a few forum members here who have more serial numbers than a Train spotter has Engine numbers, and has collected these in a manor that would help out future members if the waters do become muddy.

I,m all for restoration myself (if its practical) , my own rifles are mainly down to me saving them from some form of abuse they have had in the past.

[muffett.2008]

Being in the repair business myself, I take pleasure in being able to bring a wounded warrior back to some semblance of it's former self.
If it takes repairwork that some on this forum abhor, than tough. Getting a rifle back onto the range and producing groups as good or better than original is my primary aim in my semi retirement, being able to place these old girls back in the rack with a bit of dignity restored, irrespective of time and cost makes it all worth while in my book.

[Homer]

Being in the repair business myself, I take pleasure in being able to bring a wounded warrior back to some semblance of it's former self.
If it takes repairwork that some on this forum abhor, than tough. Getting a rifle back onto the range and producing groups as good or better than original is my primary aim in my semi retirement, being able to place these old girls back in the rack with a bit of dignity restored, irrespective of time and cost makes it all worth while in my book.

Hey cmon muffer, you critisized me for wanting to restore a 1913 lithgow serial numbered in the first 100 rifles.

[jmoore]

Most No4T,s have had a redo at some point, I'm sure the resident Armourers would agree?

Probably, but a MUCH lower percentage than the bog standard No.4 Mk.I. (Unless you count H&H's work a "redo", then they're all every one "rebuilt".

I'm not counting "additions", such as the post-WWII numbering of brackets and magazines, etc.)

[muffett.2008]

Hey cmon muffer, you critisized me for wanting to restore a 1913 lithgow serial numbered in the first 100 rifles

Yeah Demo, that's why you should have sold it to me.