Is it worth restoring this 1941 ROFM ?

[RJW NZ]

303 rifle | Trade Me

I've been trying in vain to get the barrel info, it looks shortened to me, but, I've never seen a 1941 no4 before, so I was wondering if this is hens teeth and worth restoring?

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[Demo]

With my limited knowledge I would say not, but it's a nice looking sporter.

[tbonesmith]

I've got one too, and still tossing it up. It'll always be a bitsa, but it would soak up a LOT of parts, also you don't even have the barrel on that one (he mentioned it's a replacement) so unless the price was <$100 or so , I'd pass.

[jmoore]

Keep on looking! Not an easy restoration, unless you build it into a "ITR".

[Patrick Chadwick]

I think that on this particular hen, the tooth (or rather the muzzle section with the bayonet lugs) has been cut off. The barrel seems to stop right in front of the foresight block.

And I have a nasty suspicious mind about online-auction pictures. It is astonishing how often the photos do not quite show that all-decisive detail which would enable you make a judgement!

The barrelled action is the essence of the rifle. Non-original barrel = no collector value. And if the seller is hedging about an easy-to-measure basic dimension like barrel length - forget it.

Patrick

[RJW NZ]

OK, thanks gents, much appreciated.

[Surpmil]

Depends how much you want one of those 1941 Maltbys. Looks to be in the 123-- SN range. I've always liked those nice neat markings. Pity that didn't last. The bolt handle looks to have been bent up slightly, but from the knob, is probably the original. You could always fit a smooth bored sleeve over the end of the barrel to bring it back to full length.

You might even be able to find one of those MkI beech forends around here somewhere...