I am not a massive fan of making a post sheerly since I got a new Enfield, but this is one fills a few empty spots in my collection.
At first this rifle and a Savage MKI* stood out at a gunshop to me, having both been fitted with Central No4 rear apertures (This Maltby also having Central front sights fitted). This Maltby had me much more excited as it was a MK1/2, something I have wanted for a while, and a brit made No4 (My only other No4 is a Long Branch). This one is much more marked up than the LB and I understand that is likely since the Maltby's were peddled-scheme rifles.
Its a Maltby made Mk1 which saw an FTR and conversion to MK2 in 1950 at Fazakerley, at which point I believe certain parts such as the sear (Marked 'F49'), magazine, and wood-work were all replaced (The bolt matches the action, and the magazine matches too. Its serial being electro-pencilled and 'F49' on it suggests it was replaced during this FTR). The wood looks like the pale beech I see on a lot of MK2's. I also noted an 'ENGLAND' stamp on the RHS of the reciever ring, which from what I understand means export from the UK before the 60's?
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On top of this there is also a 'REGULATED BY FULTON' stamped square on top of the reciever ring, which caught my eye. I had a look at the muzzle end and the barrel was well and truly floated, which honestly made me hesitate since I have seen so many bodgy 'target' jobs done on SMLE's around here with floated barrels.
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This one I also found had a commercial barrel without bayonet lugs as compared to a standard military barrel. Turned out to be a Sportco "LE303/4T", the 'T' I suspect means this is a No4 (T) rifle ... Probably just means target. Either way it has awesome rifling a tight muzzle and neat crown.
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So I obviously bought the rifle.
Now are the pictures of everything which to me seem like Fulton's modifications. First is the fitting of the action to the fore-end:
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Next is what I assume is Oak, or some other hardwood, blocks as replacement for the draws. This area is a little confusing as there are dowels on the each side of the action inline with the draws but these dowels do not show on the inside. There is also what looks like part of a bolt behind the draws, but it does not show on the outside; almost like magic. Also looks like this rear area has been raised with this same hardwood to bear on the rear of the action better.
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On the underside of the fore-end is also a large dovetail cut into the Main screw bearing area (Milled out) and a suitably dovetailed hardwood block fitted into it. Additionally there is a flat piece of steel fitted to the underside of the trigger guard at the front to bear on this hardwood block harder I assume?
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Then there is the relieved fore-end and handguard which have then been packed behind the mid-band and floated forward. The bearing in the fore-end for the knox form has also been filled and fitted.
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Honestly these are all modifications I have heard of, but I have never seen them done so well. All the bearings and bedding look even and tight. Only thing which looks out of place is that dovetail in the main screw which looks on the generous side of 'tight', but hey if it is still in there good... AND, its been varnished. I hate varnish, and unless someone tells me its a trademark of a Fulton special rifle I will be removing it ASAP.
Pretty cool rifle, and honestly one I am quite excited to take out shooting. I will be particularly excited to see if all these modifications have made it a target rifle or just made everything a bit more complicated. I am also in need of an unstoned No4 trigger as someone, after Fultons, crudely ground down the nodes on this trigger, and also stuck black tape to the top of the hand-guards.Information
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