Savage No 4 (T)'s less scope: Less value?

[Brian Dick]

I've fitted brackets and scopes to Savage No.4T rifles in the past with no problem whatsoever. The last one was with a bracket from the good Doctor and it was perfect.

[bigduke6]

Personally I can't see a problem fitting a scope and bracket as that's what it was destined for, keeping within whats already been said no forgery etc then no harm can be done and would highly recommend one of the brackets from DRP as Brian mentions.

I think a lot bigger crimes have been committed in the past regarding adding scopes to rifles..... I was talking to a apprentice with a well known Gunmakers at the week end who said some time back a chap had dropped in to see if they could remove various numbers and re engrave items to match.....

[blurrededge]

I think fitting a bracket is ok, as I have done it with my BSA Less T but I didn't stamp the scope number into the wrist, which must be tempting to some. Just leave the wrist blank I say, after all it is technically a scarcer rifle than the majority of 4Ts and of interest in it's own right. They could also be unissued and unmessed with having been kept in storage as mine appears to have been and still very much as it left the factory.

[jdmcomp]

As one who has purchased a Savage with a repro scope and bracket I say go ahead and add the scope. It will do no harm to the rifle, as there are no changes to the rifle at all. I think that the experience of shooting such rifles (even if using repro scopes) is just as valid and much less likely to damage a valuable original. The price seems a bit high as I got mine for about that with scope and bracket. I do agree that you should not try to pass it off as original (that is w/scope) but you can always sell it with the proper disclosure. BTW, I also shoot 1904A4s, Garand M1D, and Mosin Nagant snipers, all of which are not original. Cannot say the shooting is any less fun. There are two classes of collectors, one who wants a original perfect rifle and never plans to shoot it and the other who wants to experience just what the soldier of the time experienced. I am in the second group.