Brought home a stray mutt SMLE No 5/4 Mk1* sporter kind of thing.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

A fellow was toting this around the local gun show today. I looked it over and passed as I was looking for a K98/ Garand etc.. and am not into sporterized milsurps. I must admit I was intrigued by the mix of no4 and 5 parts and the workmanship. I continued my search and noticed it was kind of following me around like a shelter pet and well I guess it was meant to be. The action appears to be a 1943 No4 MkI* Savage marked US Property the magizine appears to be factory made but appears to be a 5 round capacity (follower marked 4-5).
There are no markings indicating chambering. The bolt is non matching with a no 1 bolt head.
The front site is a Parker-Hale. The butt plate seems to be an original no 5 item as does the bolt. The workmanship on the rifle appears to be well beyond "Back Yard" grade.
So here are my choices.
1. Round up some No 5 parts and make a clone.
2. Round up some No 4 parts and return to original.
3. Leave it as is and appricate the workmanship and try not to freat about the fact that there is
a No 5 missing a bolt and butt plate.
Opinions welcome along with information on the 5 round mag (aftermarket, modified or original?) Or chip in with anything I missed.
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Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Surpmil]

Looks like you've got the remains of a Parker Hale sporter there. Not sure which particular type. Someone probably didn't like the kick and thought he'd fit a No5 butt because that rubber butt pad is sure to help...not.

Throw the butt by Bubba in the patching scrap wood box after salvaging the butt plate etc. and keep your eyes out for a set of sporter wood with the semi-pistol grip high comb stock that P-H used on their higher end (I use the term advisedly!) sporters. The butts are more often found loose than the forends.

Boyd's Gunstocks might have a similar set available.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I believe you may be right. That would explain the Parker Hale front sight and the five round magizine. I also noticed the rifle has a S.M. & n67 marled No 5 Mk I 800M rear sight. If it is a factory conversion my prespectives on restoration might be altered.

[Peter Laidler]

I cut one of these P-H bubbaised monstrosities up last week, based on a 1916 No1 Mk3 action. It had been blued but prior to blueing, it'd been buffed against a buffing wheel to within an inch of its life. The fitting of the telescopic sight mounts was a sight to behold............ The rear two screws went down, into the bridge charger guide. The irony was that the screw threaded holes almost cut the top of the bridge in half - twice. The front holes that are longitudinal with the bore went through the breeching up ring and into the barrel to within a gnats knacker of the chamber. Just like those legendary scoped Enforcers we have heard about

I'm looking for a word or a series of words that describe a thing that is: 'looks nice on the surface, a metallurgical nightmare under the skin but done by a well meaning bubba'

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I am still researching but this thing seems to be a legitimate Parker Hale no 4 Deluxe conversion.

[Surpmil]

I cut one of these P-H bubbaised monstrosities up last week, based on a 1916 No1 Mk3 action. It had been blued but prior to blueing, it'd been buffed against a buffing wheel to within an inch of its life. The fitting of the telescopic sight mounts was a sight to behold............ The rear two screws went down, into the bridge charger guide. The irony was that the screw threaded holes almost cut the top of the bridge in half - twice. The front holes that are longitudinal with the bore went through the breeching up ring and into the barrel to within a gnats knacker of the chamber. Just like those legendary scoped Enforcers we have heard about

I'm looking for a word or a series of words that describe a thing that is: 'looks nice on the surface, a metallurgical nightmare under the skin but done by a well meaning bubba'

How about "we've always done it that way"?

HoH, try and compare your front sight height with a No5. I think you'll find it's a bit lower and so the PoI won't correspond to the sight graduations throughout the range of adjustment. Is the mag one of those "Made in Japan Expressly for Parker-Hale Ltd" jobs? They might have said "made as cheaply as possible for Parker Hale Ltd."

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

No additional markings on the mag. just the 4-5 on the follower. I take it that the Parker Hale is considered a Corperiate Bubba?

[USMC6094]

I think I mightve gotten one of those last week. The receiver looks polished, the barrel has a sprter style ramped front sight, and I cant make out any of the markings on the side of the receiver. The whole thing was refinished and has a brown patina to it, the serial on the bolt body is GB0042 with a number 1 bolt head. My magazine has the 4-5 stamp on the follower too

edited to add- I just looked under a strong light and the bolt serial matches the receiver.

---------- Post added at 08:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:56 PM ----------

No additional markings on the mag. just the 4-5 on the follower. I take it that the Parker Hale is considered a Corperiate Bubba?

My magazine is stamped on the left side at the top middle "Santa Fe" Magazine Made in Japan and it has the 4-5 on the follower too

[Peter Laidler]

Aaaaaargh, there's more than one of 'em!!!!!!!!! Send them to me and I'll set about them with the hot-axe

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I think I mightve gotten one of those last week. The receiver looks polished, the barrel has a sprter style ramped front sight, and I cant make out any of the markings on the side of the receiver. The whole thing was refinished and has a brown patina to it, the serial on the bolt body is GB0042 with a number 1 bolt head. My magazine has the 4-5 stamp on the follower too

edited to add- I just looked under a strong light and the bolt serial matches the receiver.
---------- Post added at 08:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:56 PM ----------

Can you post a picture or two of the beast?

---------- Post added at 05:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:16 PM ----------

Aaaaaargh, there's more than one of 'em!!!!!!!!! Send them to me and I'll set about them with the hot-axe

Surley you jest.