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They didn't do themselves any favours by marking so many of those WW2 specimens so lightly. Considering that nobody had any trouble reading the markings on Sht L.E.s for years.
At the weekend I saw a Century Arms International import where they appeared to have given it an entirely new serial number made up out of whole cloth, done with the funny micropunching machine of theirs, as it was visibly different from what we could see of the original.
Don't forget that these lightly etched serial numbers caused us no end of problems too. We'd end up with, say, ten un-numbered rifles left over and ten unaccountable serial numbers. So they'd just get re-numbered to suit the paperwork. When it did get confusing was when the weapon couldn't be identified, such as pistols, rifles, a few SMG's and a Bren............ Then we had to allocate new serial numbers, from a new batch issued by the MoD in the SA88A xxxx number range............
Anyone got one of these SA XX A XXXX numbers on a No5 yet?
I would assume that the "F" is for the Faz parts? Would they be subcontracters? I have many "F###"s on my Faz.
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Decided to strip the varnish off the stock. Got some citristrip since it seems to be highly recommended and it did work very well. First stripper I've tried that actually took all of it off in one coat without making a gooey mess that stuck to the wood. I used the aresol type and it was very nice.
Anyway, the cleaned stock looks like American Walnut, very rich grain and dark color. Did they use this on these or is this just a similar looking wood with the oil making it the darker color? Stock was in very good condition, just a few dings and they are all pretty minor. A little dark staining where the butt stock connects to the metal which seems to be common with milsurps. I'm finishing it with BLO, have two coats on it already. Looks more military than that shiny finish they had on it.
Old Gunshop in town reopened today under new management and name. Stopped in to see what they have and there was a No 5 MK 1.
Dirt cheap but someone cut off the end of the flash suppressor at about where the metal starts to curve in from the sight. I can't tell if they cut the end of the barrel off in the process as well, but it looks like they did, everything is flat with no crowning. Bore looked dark. Oddly enough, they have a No 4 made to look like a No 5 too. Most everything they have is heavily bubbad.