Interesting Field Grade

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Originally Posted by bob seijas

How about the very early Gas Trap trigger guard!

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First or second variation with concentric rings I believe. Wonder what that trigger guard would sell for ?

Is the drawing number C46025 or C 46025. According to Canfields book the C 46025 would be correct for the OP's serial number.

It is C 46025, space in between

I'm not up on prices but it is a desirable very scarce part... not quite in the "rare" category but close. Those Gas Trap parts that would function in Gas Port rifles endured, that's why you can find an early bolt without too much trouble. The really hard parts are those that had to be discarded, like the front ferrule with lip (and of course the gas system components). I'm guessing SA made about 20,000 of the guard with rings.

There are also a couple obvious differences in the machining done to the receiver that I wouldn't have noticed unless I could do a side by side comparison. You can see one in the picture on the op rod track near the heel. There is no "donut" at the end of the milling and the tool marks are finer.

I saw a concentric ring trigger guard sell not long ago, $150 as I remember. Not rare but you dont see them everyday. Being refinished will hurt the value some

This one has the same finish as the receiver, looks blued or blackened to me.

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Originally Posted by Doco overboard

I just wouldn't have guessed that out of the millions of rifles manufactured one in the first 21000 manufactured would have found its way to me. When I made the order I even requested a replacement barrel because I thought that I may not be happy with how it would gauge and was more or less just looking for a project. I was advised elsewhere to go to the SS and pick one out, wait for a service grade etc. I think if I would have been able to do that I would have picked this one anyhow. It has HRA op rod and hammer, a WRA bolt D28287-1 SA trigger housing D28290-12, 12-44 SA barrel 7th round mod and what I believe to be a replacement stock Overton maybe and a gas cylinder with an O on the rear ring with a humped lock. There are no marks on the follower bullet guide or op rod catch. I need to study up more on the smaller bits for the purpose of being able to properly identify them. What I have done is, touch the muzzle up lightly with a Brownells hand turned cutter, a .302 pin gauge is tight. Strip clean and grease with bore clean that is still underway, free stuck ejector, gauge head-space and tilt test. What needs done is to tighten up the rear sight apparatus and thats all I'm going to do, and see how well it shoots of course and then just leave it alone. And get more pictures for those that want to see more.

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I seen/heard many people at the CMP stores talking about purchasing a Field or even rack grad and replacing the barrels. My thought is, the new barrel is going to cost about $200, then, unless you can do it yourself and have the tools, it might cost another $100 to have the new barrel installed, finish reamed and head spaced. That money could go into a Service or higher grade rifle, which you would get a better barrel, possibly a better stock and internal parts. Just my opinion about that, as I have thought the same and priced out the difference.

not to mention the Service Grade parts will not be as worn and have better finish

Thought about that before and just decided to do the work on my own. After the initial cost of the tooling I have saved a ton while gaining a working knowledge of what I possess which equals better and more informed future purchases. If I can get a rifle with a good finish great, if it doesn't and it bothers me I'll build parkerizing equipment and experiment on a scrap mauser action to my own satisfaction. The problem is when you end up with spare parts that you may feel compelled to build into something else. (vicious never-ending cycle)I wouldn't leave the old lady overnight in some hacks shop, Ill be damned if I do the same with one of my rifles. Others may feel differently but I get a lot of satisfaction doing things myself so for me it pays. So my problem now is what do I do with a brand new Criterion Barrel? Anybody have a drill rifle laying around? Parts set minus receiver? that's just how it works for me others may feel differently I'm sure.