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I just took another look and here is what I found:
"T" on left side of receiver. Looked like there were other numbers at one time, but unable to make them out. Entire rifle has been reblued.
Screws holding front scope mount pad have been pinned.
Left side of butt socket : 47C. Under that is 1944. Under that is A30858. Under that is "TR"
On barrel is a letter which I couldn't read, followed by A30858.
Bolt has no serial # but is marked N67 MKII. Bolt head marked 0. Is this a transplant from a mkII? Safe to fire if headspace checks out?
I originally thought the rifle was marked ROF, but I guess I was remembering that from another rifle I had looked at. Also rear sight must be lifted to remove the bolt. I thought the sight had been relieved to make bolt removal easier, but again, faulty memory.
Looking at the buttstock, you can see where someone plugged two smalll holes where a cheekpiece would have been mounted before they refinished the wood. All remaining wood is in beautiful shape, but I guess that doesn't mean much since so much is missing.
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Thanks shooter nurse. It sounds to be real enough although it is a 'common' No4 T built on a BSA Shirley rifle (The code being M47/C). As you indicate it was made in 1944 & the serial number of 'A' followed by five digits starting with a '3' is perfectly correct. It would also indicate it was likely made earlier in 1944 than later. Of course I don't know how much you value it or how much you like restoration projects but if I were in your shoes (which I know I'm not) I'd definitely buy it to rebuild back to its former glory. As you say, you don't have to do it all at once. Apart from the No32 scope & bracket, the remaining rifle parts are not so expensive & are usually available through outfits like Numrich etc. Alternatively, I'm sure there are forummers here who would help out.....
ATB
P.S. N67 is the code for The Singer Manufacturing Co. Are you sure the bolt is marked by them, & not the rearsight? Generally I would expect to see a N67 rearsight on a 1944 rifle. They also made foresight protectors as well. In my limited experience original bolts on BSA's were actually made by BSA themselves, & on a 44 rifle would be marked M47C to the left of where the serial number is marked on the bolt handle, by where it joins the bolt body. Unusual not to have a serial on the bolt.....perhaps a replacement or lost at the time of refinishing? The zero bolt head is a good sign, but I'd still suggest getting someone with headspace gauges to check it before firing it.
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Yup, I stand corrected. That's what I meant 25.2"!! Sounds like it's cut. Too bad. Decent barrels are rare as rocking horse manure here too.
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I stand corrected. They are 25.2" My fingers and brain were disconnected this morning. It's obviously been cut.
---------- Post added at 05:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:50 PM ----------
Sorry for the double post. Crap ATT wireless is playing tricks on me again!
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It depends what you are measuring.
25.2 is overall length, including breech thread.
24. something is the measurement from the rear of the knox form to the end of the muzzle.
I will go to the crypt and dig out the exact dimensions this morning.
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Found it near the top of the sorting pile.
No. 4 barrel:
Overall length: 25.256 high, 25.200 low
Threaded tenon, 0.696 high, 0.693 low
Therefore, visible barrel approx 24.5...ish.
24" is close; it may have been re-crowned at some time. "Proper" No. 4 barrels have a peculiar crown which is a 0.080" radius that continues outwards to blend into the 28-32 deg inc. conical section that assists bayonet mounting.
If your barrel has a neat "target" crown, it has been "adjusted" outside the services at some time. One of my two "shooting" No.4s has such a crown: it got there via the previous owner's lathe in an effort to claw back some grouping ability. It worked.
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I really appreciate all the input. Looks like I am going to buy it tomorrow. I will post pictures as soon as I can. I think this will be a fun project. I don't care so much about the eventual value as I will probably never sell owing to the fact that I have two nephews to pass it on to who are already accomplished rifleman at 16 and 17 years of age. Thanks again.
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I suppose the n67 mkII could be on the cocking piece?
I'd definitely get it I would think - at least you know in that condition, someone isn't trying to fake it! I look forward to seeing your pictures.
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Good point Prinz. I forgot about N67 marked cocking pieces!
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Prinz & Roger - Now that you have jogged my memory, I believe you are right about the cocking piece. The rifle is mine, bought and paid for, but unfortunately in the press of things I had to do that day, I forgot to throw an empty rifle case in my trunk and could not legally bring it home that day. Then the real nursing world called and I had to work. Plan is to pick it up tomorrow morning before work. Fingers crossed. Pics soon (I hope). Thanks for your interest and support. This forum makes it a lot more fun. Funny that I never learned about this addiction in nursing school.
