Savage No 4 Mk1/3 with red paint?

Hello all.

I have found a Savage No 4 No I* converted to No 1/3 (F)FTR SN /52 87C2250. Wood, buttstock socket have matching #s and cocking piece has F52. There are red paint remnants on receiver area that concern me but I understand 1/3s to be desirable. The price is $399.99. I understand the SN to put it around 1943 and the /52 to be FTR date. I have attached some pics. Any recommendations on whether this would be a good first SMLE? I am really looking for a No 1 Mk III but this really has my attention (along with a Long Branch No 4 of unknown Mk) for $325. This one is Import marked on muzzle.

Thanks again for the help.

I think the rifle is cactus. Look how the guide rail for the bolt forward of the cutout is chipped almost completely away. I would on this basis alone not buy it. Red paint, old red band?? DP?? Leave rifle this for someone else imho.

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Originally Posted by tbonesmith

Red paint, old red band?? DP??

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Not in the UK. Over here DP is white bands on the stock.

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Originally Posted by tbonesmith

Look how the guide rail for the bolt forward of the cutout is chipped almost completely away.

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:thdown:

That is about as bad as possible without it being completely gone up front. Nice example! One for the old "Gallery of Dramas".

Link below for cross reference:

Gallery of Dramas. Broken Enfield Parts!

Indian Army DP was a red band and later red and white. A complete sack of shxxx. Leave it alone

Thank you all very much! It is at a pawn shop and I feel I should inform them of the danger this thing presents. Also perhaps to offer significantly less money for it as a "wall hanger" any thoughts?

The Indians put a red band on the receiver? or on the front handguard and buttstock?

Very informaive comments on this one. My knowlege base has been expanded. Thanks all.

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Originally Posted by artyldr01

Thank you all very much! It is at a pawn shop and I feel I should inform them of the danger this thing presents. Also perhaps to offer significantly less money for it as a "wall hanger" any thoughts?

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It's your money and your wall, but one valuable lesson I have learned is to not buy junk. That rifle to me is not a good example of anything. A far better deal will come up if you keep looking. This is just my 2 cents.

Resist the temptation and just walk away !!
Cheers.

Thanks everyone. Urge has past! Gun show Saturday! Much better odds.

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Originally Posted by artyldr01

Thanks everyone. Urge has past! Gun show Saturday! Much better odds.

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Show up early. Long lines these days. Perhaps you can confirm my theroy that someone may show up selling some really great Enfield etc.. to make a down payment on the now scarce and panic priced AR/AK.
Good luck and please post results.

At this point, though, artyldr01, you have provided good reference photos and have added to the knowledge base "at no cost to you". Seems like a win!

My Savage 1* has exactly the same problem and the only fix is a long and difficult one which I don't have the expertise for. The red paint as mentioned is of Indian origin and it appears that the indians in addition to marking DP guns in red and white paint, they litteraly splash red paint on the guns they intend to dispose of. There are many Brens and Enfields in the UK which which have really random red paint splash marks where I guess they just lined them up and flicked paint along the line.

We used to repair these Mk1* and 1/3 rifles all the time and I went into the repair procedure several times. But we'd only repair them if they were chipped. But this example is totally broken away and is ZF as far as I am concerned. I don't even think that we'd use this rifle as a DP because the recruit couldn't rely on it. Fit for scrap in my opinion!!!!

I really appreciate the help and am glad to be able to provide something back. Everyone has been very helpful. Now I can focus on my real desire, a nice No 1 Mk III! Although I did stumble on this No 4 Mk I (F), dated 8/48 SN PF 35418 (matching receiver, bolt and magazine) and South African Navy marked buttplate (SAN 3094) for $329.... Hmmmmmm....these things are addictive!

Well went to the gunshow, line was around the very big building, couldn't even get in. I have more luck stumbling on things at out of the way shops anyway!

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Originally Posted by artyldr01

Well went to the gunshow, line was around the very big building, couldn't even get in. I have more luck stumbling on things at out of the way shops anyway!

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Quite a shame as I ejoy wandering about at our local shows. Perhaps thing will settle down soon. Lets hope.

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Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY

Quite a shame as I ejoy wandering about at our local shows. Perhaps thing will settle down soon. Lets hope.

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Ugh, shows suck the life out me! Haven't been to one in several years. Local shops are enough to keep me in trouble, anyway.

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Originally Posted by jmoore

Local shops are enough to keep me in trouble, anyway.

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We are a bit short of gun shops around here leaving shows as the only real option. The occasional "walk in" score keeps all the life from being sucked out.

Strip it for parts and make the receiver into a desk ornament. It's interesting to compare the details from different manufacturers and dates when you get them stripped right down.