count the grooves in the barrel. With a serial number that low it probably has a 6groove Savage barrel.
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The very early rifles came out of the Savage factory with six groove barrels. And, whilst it shouldn't have happened, a few with two groove barrels slipped through the net as well. I have owned both Savage & Maltby rifles with two groove barrels (from new) that were converted to 4T's. I do wonder if that is the reason why many Savage rifles are found with replacement UK manufacture barrels on them - because they were noted to have two groovers & so were earmarked for 'upgrading' with new production five groove examples.
So is there any one thing I can hope for to (assuming it’s not been faked) prove this is a t, and not a scope less t?
Michael, assuming the seller is not expecting a definite yes or no on the spot (which would put me off, for a start), then get as many photo's of it as you can, including butt socket & body side wall views, & views of the pads with the scope & bracket removed. If you then post them here you'll be snowed under with informed opinions!
I've only seen 2 groove barrels on Savage Mk1* T's, at least to date. Have seriously thinned out my collection of 4T's but have retained a 41 Mk1 six groover, & two 42 Mk1*'s; one being a 'Less Telescope' rifle, & the other an example that was scoped up. TBH I can't remember for certain without looking, but I think the scopeless example has a replacement 45 UK barrel & the scoped one still retains its original two groover. If a rifle definitely has a replacement barrel on it we can only speculate as to what might have been on it originally of course....
The best confirmation is a matching scope can! Second, is prior to buying get a ton of pic's and post them here!
Sadly no can included. We have a cheeky lock down here so I will have to see how easily I can get in to see the rifle.
So, I’ve seen it, pictures to follow. However in the mean time what are the general views on the following:
- all the savage marks once could with for
- only t Mark I recognise is the ghost of a number on the wrist
- fultons regulated stamp
- in my opinion a re barrel
- re bedded with wood platform1/3 up and floated there after
- No3 bolt head
assuming it is a t thoughts on the above would be welcomed.
As I enjoy historic military rifle shooting the rebedding is the largest potential issue.
There are folks with much more experience than I, but for me there are a couple of alarm bells :
1) Rebarreled - when and by whom ?
2) Regulated by Fultons. (Fultons have 'built' No4Ts to order).
3) Peter Laidler has previously said a No3 bolt head would not have been accepted on a 4T by a military armourer.