More grist to the mill...
Life would certainly be dull if one knew everything!
Rather than trying to fit the item into a particular pigeon hole, we should consider all relevant information and the photos first, before coming to a conclusion.
In my opinion, the most pertinent posts from Peter Laidler, Thunderbox and Buffdog to Badger's observations.
1. EX (why should it be considered experimental, and then draw features to explain it?). There does not seem to be anything experimental there.
2. EX 11 is BNP (British Nitro Proof) marked, thus exported out of England post-war.
3. EX 2 (and to a lesser extent EX 11) has early features... Mk I action, Mk I (Singer) rearsight, original style safety lever, 'button' cocking piece, magazine & trigger guard.
4. EX 2 does not appear to have Long Branch factory, year & mark designation on the left wall of the action body.
5. Wood on EX 11 is certainly a show grade but there is little doubt that the butt extension & aperture plate mod. were post disposal.
6. EX 2 butt marking disc has chamfered edges, like a presentation or sample specimen.
7. Was the top of the safety lever on EX 11 removed post disposal, or was that original?
8. Early Canadian timber, early brass buttplates.
So what can we assume from the above (there would be more likely if we had closer shots of EX 2)?
a. Early production of both rifles, even earlier apparent for EX 2.
b. EX 11 has been to England and back.
c. More likely exhibition models or show examples than experimentals.
d. Both rifles show post-disposal use, from wear marks on the stock of EX 2 and rifle range swivel, extended butt & plate fitting for EX 11.
e. From the fittings, EX 2 is likely earlier date production than EX 11. Why does the EX prefix necessarily make them from the same batch?
I would offer an opinion from the above that they are not experimental models, rather show or exhibition specimens. From memory, there are one or two EX prefix rifles in the Faris collection although I would need to dig through lots of old notes to see if they are relevant.
One thing is for certain, the more one learns, the more we realise that we don't know.
Ian
Not to hijack the thread but...
I have a question about the "oil-burnt" finish on Thunderbox's rifle EX11. How is this finish done? I've tried searching it on the internet and all I've found is burnt oil finishes for metal, not wood. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers!