Well that rules them out then!:madsmile:
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Well that rules them out then!:madsmile:
I've seen three or four of these DCRA conversions built on Mk2 actions of the 1954-55 vintage. At least two of them had "Parker-Hale Birmingham" stamped in a small font on top of the receiver ring, so apparently PH were selling some such rifles in that period. It's also possible they were purchased in the UK by Bisley team members or even military personnel posted there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roger Payne
In view of the A prefix serial number I'm wondering if this action is not a new build Mk2 that for some reason was marked as an FTR? I have the remains of a Faz Mk2 here that is marked FTR 1957 - why would a relatively new Mk2 be going through FTR in 1957 ?
Perhaps some new actions or rifles on hand in the factory being used to make up totals as part of an FTR program, thereby replacing rifles that didn't pass the receiver/body inspections?
NB: the photo cuts off the serial number; it is longer than "A12", but I don't feel like digging out the receiver to get the rest of it. ;)
Don't forget that BSA did a series of FTR's (including changing to Mk2 specifications) for non-UK military customers.
Edit to add : Info from Peter Laidler
The Mk1/2 and 1/3 mid 50's conversions completed at the BSA factory (NOT BSA rifles converted to 1/2 or 1/3 but any rifle converted to 1/2 and 1/3 in the mid 50's onwards by BSA) were not done to a UK Military contract. All UK Military - Ministry of Supply conversions were done at Fazakerley as this was the only remaining Government rifle factory and they wanted to keep it open. The BSA FTR's to Mk1/2 and 1/3 were done on contract, for other Governments or under the 'Crown Agents' scheme.
Very occasionally you could/would see a BSA - FTR X/XX when Ordnance stockpiles were mixed or pooled.
My DCRA is a 1955 Fazakerly mk2. It is stamped “Regulated by Fulton” along with the CA 7.62 stamps on the barrel no bayonet lugs and the Maple Leaf stamps on the top of the receiver and bolt handle.
It has sold out of service marks and I’m curious if Fulton’s sold it new “surplus”.
Interesting how it went from the UK to Canada. It was imported to the US in the late 90’s.
Most of the DCRA 7.62 rifles were privately owned rifles sent in for conversion by private DCRA/PRA (Provincial Rifle Assn.) members. All makes (except Enfield Trials [though there are a number listed merely as "Brit" No4]) and models (No4MkI, No4MkI*, No4MkI/2, No4MkI/3, No4Mk2, No4MkI(T)) extant in circa 1963 -1968 available as surplus are found.Quote:
Originally Posted by Surpmil
Supposedly the first 100 conversions were done for the Military, but that is not borne out by the list of extant rifles on CGN - several rifles within the first 50 are listed as being "Brit FTR" marked.
I have seen a number built on Long Branch 1945, 1950, 1955, 1956 actions which have British/Savage/ earlier Long Branch serial numbers, original finish and no sign of previous serial being removed - these are generally replacement actions fitted to replace supplied actions which failed the inspection and were rejected for conversion. Many of the British/Savage actions observed are fitted with new Long Branch bolts - all of the bolts observed show hardness testing impressions at various places on the bolt bodies & bolt heads.
I had one of those Mk.2 F57 FTR ones, too, in .308. A15579.
My bolt is original Fazakerly serialized to the rifle, but it has a Long Branch bolt head. It also has the DCRA serial number stamped on it.
I've seen many DCRA rifles. The ones marked "Regulated by Fulton" started out as service rifles in the UK, were regulated by GE Fultons post service in the UK as target rifles in .303. Many eventually wound up in Canada, the owners carried or sent them to CAL for conversion to 7.62 for service rifle competition shooting. They were used primarily for Palma style shooting and were not supplied after conversion with 7.62 extractors or magazines. There were a select few, (the so-called factory specials), that were drilled and tapped for P-H bases, bedded with Bisonite and had 7.62 extractors and Enfield magazines installed but they were not the norm. Most DCRA conversions retained the original .303 extractor and magazine which worked fine for single shot extraction and as a loading platform for long range competition.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Dick
That's what mine was. Those mags and extractors didn't surface here for years after.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Dick
I'm guessing they also didn't have the milling cuts to the magazine well that made feeding reasonably reliable (as in bet-your-life-on-it reliable)