Look what Fell From the Sky

[tbonesmith]

Hi Guys,

I had a most unexpected find today, a near mint No1Mk1 barrel with sights and all! It's been in a rifle as it has a serial number, but it shows no signs of use and only a bit of minor exterior surface rust.

I was thrilled to land it.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Very nice. Someone had grand plans for an action and removed it.

[Ridolpho]

I'd have to dig my I*** out to be sure but that ramp on the sight base looks like it may not have been modified for Mk VII ammunition. Nice find!

Ridolpho

[browningautorifle]

I'd like to have seen the whole rifle before modification. Those rifles were beautifully made and blued. Crafted not just assembled, they resembled artwork...beautiful details..

[Son]

Mk1... no such thing as a No1 mk1

Seriously, great score! The rear sight has never been modified for MkVII ball, the hump in the ramp is the give away. It would not be correct for a rifle modded to Mk1***. I think the hole in the top of the sight cap is the staking screw which was fitted to stop the sight being fine adjusted. Look out for centre punch marks in the bottom of the cap to lock the windage screw. Not sure when the sights were alterred, but I don't think it should have been done without changing the ramp angle for MkVII... (does the number under the sight leaf match the barrel serial?) Have to dig the books out to be sure.
Another member here showed me a Mk1 barrel a number of years ago but I think it did not have a serial on it. I wonder if it's the same tube?

[mike1967]

I think the hole in the top of the sight cap is the staking screw which was fitted to stop the sight being fine adjusted.

That screw stops the sight from elevating right off!!

[henry r]

please tell us the story of how/where you found it.

[mrclark303]

Superb find and from a sleeper that never want through the VII mods, the next challenge, find a suitable No1 Mk1 action and bolt, or a worn out wall hanger with some fight left in it and start a re-build!

"lost" its action back in the 1950's/1960's more than likely, when it was just another cheap old warhorse waiting to be sporterised, probably had a Lithgow heavy barrel fitted and it's woodwork cut about..

At least someone had the presence of mind to preserve it and squirrel it away.

[Son]

Superb find and from a sleeper that never want through the VII mods, the next challenge, find a suitable No1 Mk1 action and bolt, or a worn out wall hanger with some fight left in it and start a re-build!

.

The offer I made a few years ago still stands.... I will pay ten grand for a No1 Mk1 rifle.... all I need is a pic of the markings that denote the model..... LoC A1635; 1926.

[Sentryduty]

I will pay ten grand for a No1 Mk1 rifle

Interestingly enough I have one, well mostly anyway.

I have a 1904 No1 Mk1* however, it was FTR in 1953, coated in Suncorite and was re-barreled with a BSA marked piece, and it's been sportered long before I had it. However it is a very fine shooting rifle and is the smoothest LE I own. The serial is a 5 digit in the 65 or 66,000 range from memory.