This came out of the wrapper. Doesn't seem to match the serial date listing shown. Left over bits perhaps?
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This came out of the wrapper. Doesn't seem to match the serial date listing shown. Left over bits perhaps?
Sorry, not trying to hijack the OP's question, just questioning the serial/ date listing.
Interesting, the loop on the trigger guard on a 1955 No4 Mk 2 production.
As new rifle production came to an end, ROF Fazakerley made a run of at least 23,000 new "FTR" Mk 2 rifles in 1956-57 (possibly 1958?). They all lack the cutt off block on the body showing they were new production bodies however not all the parts installed on the rifles were "new", some were seconds or were taken from the real FTR program that finished in 1958. The FTR marking gave Fazakerley a way to get rid of leftover stock new bodies without the need of using all new manufacture parts.
I have learned that those date\serial # lists should be taken with a grain of salt,
I posted a thread a will back on Gunboards when I found a few rifles (No 4's) that were dated outside the 'window' that serial number should have been in,
I think as anyone who has written 'anything' containing historical data / details will acknowledge, the information is only as good as what was available "at the time". As more and more collectors find, or release some of their previously, unseen documents it shows how much we may have been 'wrong'.Quote:
Originally Posted by lyman1903
Example : The Internet 'fable' of better steel used by Ishapore for the 2a / 2A1 rifles has finally (hopefully) been put-to-bed following information from the Ishapore "Proof Master"
As this thread relates to a Faz No4 with FTR markings I thought I would add the following. I have a No4 mk1/2 that has Maltby 1943 markings on the action body along with 1955 (F) FTR markings.
Apart from the action body, all other parts including the bolt and barrel are marked F54 or F55.
It would appear that the rifle was totally rebuilt using all new parts other than the action body. The bolt, action body, magazine and forend have matching numbers and the rifle looks to be in almost new condition.
Is this typical of a rifle that has been through FTR?