1958 RFI No4 MkI/2

Attached are pictures of a 1958 RFI converted No4 MkI/2 that I recently purchased. Just like I read about these rifles, this rifle had all of the original markings removed and new markings applied after being converted.

The main reason I purchased this rifle is that from the pictures, it had enough external parts remaining to make me believe it was a Savage (Savage front sight protector, Savage MkI backsight, and a Zamac buttplate). After I rec'd the rifle, I was able to confirm that it was a Savage rifle (all parts external and internal are Savage marked with a very few exceptions, as well as the wood).

Now that I am convinced it is a Savage No4 MkI (no star), I started to look for signs to determine if it was a 1941 or 1942. I came across a couple of items that have me leaning toward a 1941; however, not enough to make me 100% sure. First thing I spotted was the sear was stamped "41" and the other thing I spotted was the inside of the front hand guard was stamped "952". I have two other 1941 Savage MkI's that have the s/n of the rifle on the inside of the front hand guard - one is hand written and the other is stamped.

My gut tells me (or I want to believe) that this is rifle 0C952 - a 1941 No4 MkI, but there is no solid evidence to confirm this.

Thoughts or comments?

Excellent find ! This is one that has eluded my collection thus far. I am jealous ;-)

Argueing against this, you'll have to convince yourself that during the whole FTR process, where, maybe a thousand rifles were going through the same system, it would be beyond even the wildest imagination that the parts (except for the bolt) would remain together. And reasonably competent forensic department would be able to lift the previous stamped markings. Engraved markings might be more difficult