My '43 Savage

[Clash77]

A couple weeks ago I picked up this Savage No.4 Mk1* at a gunshow for a very reasonable $250. All it was missing was the magazine, which I've located and is on the way.
Almost everything metal is stamped with the Savage square "S" and the bolt, receiver, forestock are all match. Both handguards are stamped for Savage (the rear one has an different version of the S stamp) US ordinance bomb stamps throughout and a Crown stamp on the receiver ring and bolt handle. On the right side of the wrist it has partial stamps that look like remnants of an O and and X possibly.
The buttstock has a double struck FR stamp(another form of the FTR stamp?), zink(?) buttplate, and the Savage S inside a circle next to the letters CAS.
Overall it strikes me as a run of the mill Savage No.4 except it seemed odd to me that the sidewall of the forestock is shortened for a magazine cutoff. Right on top of that part it has an H and a 7 stamped there.

Thoughts anyone?

Information

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[Surpmil]

As for the relief for the magazine cut off, once the steel patterns were made for the stock machines, they went ahead and used them, probably until they were too worn, or until the "press of work" was reduced to the point where the time could be afforded to make new ones without the relief cut.

The original specs for the No.4 given to Savage and Long Branch were no doubt copies of the drawings (and actual rifles) from the No4 trials rifles produced at RSAF Enfield in the 1930s. This is what they first produced, complete with hinged bands, waisted foresight protectors, "button" cocking pieces, forends like yours etc. Later, simplifications and economies were introduced.

Personally I've never understood why Long Branch and Savage were encouraged to introduce the MkI* modification when it was not introduced where economies were really needed: in the UK ordnance factories! The same with the stamped trigger guard etc.

Anyone got an answer for that?

[Clash77]

Anyone have a guess at what the H and 7 might stand for? Or the 2 on the underside of the bolt handle? I'm assuming the CAS are the inspector's initials.

[tlvaughn]

The original specs for the No.4 given to Savage and Long Branch were no doubt copies of the drawings (and actual rifles) from the No4 trials rifles produced at RSAF Enfield in the 1930s. This is what they first produced, complete with hinged bands, waisted foresight protectors, "button" cocking pieces, forends like yours etc. Later, simplifications and economies were introduced.

This may have been the case with Long Branch, but I am not aware of Savage ever producing hinged bands nor waisted foresight protectors; however, as stated, they did produce the MkI back sights, MkI "button" cocking pieces, and early forends.

[Ridolpho]

"Ishapore Screw" means trip to India. Is FR the Indian Factory Repair? I don't recall seeing any references to early Savage's with forends cut for the cutoff.

Ridolpho

[Clash77]

Yeah I know about the Ishy screw. What was a little strange to me was there's no traces of the black paint typical of India arsenal'd weapons, and I don't see anything that would have constituted a Full Repair or Factory Repair (what I'm assuming FR stands for)

[Ridolpho]

Clash77: I don't know the actual time when the change occured but the black paint may be a post war thing? I have a '39 MkIII that appears to have been "upgraded" to III* configuration with a new forend but they either didn't touch the metal or re-blued it. According to Robert Edwards ("Indias Enfields"), so many Savage No.4's were received in India that "many Indian soldiers refer to all Rifles, No.4 as "American Enfields"". He also claims Air Force "colour parties" were still using them around 2000.

Ridolpho

[Clash77]

Interesting. The other thing, which I've just noticed is that it seems to lack an import stamp (No "ENGLAND" stamped on the rec. and no post-86 style import stamp) Does anyone know are those proofs on the end of the barrel done when the rifle is sold out of service or when it's exported, or what? Were they only done in England, or across the Empire? Also curious why the rifle is double stamped FR on the stock when it seems nothing has changed from the factory besides the Ishy screw.

[gsimmons]

I have two FR stamped butt stocks. Neither has the Ishapore screw. One is a Maltby and other a Longbranch. No one seams to know exactly what the FR really means on the stock. On the buttsocket it is an Indian factory thorough repair.

[Bindi2]

The so called Ishy screw is a Brit thing not Indian though the Indians used it more than the Brits did. The reinforce screw for grenade firing. Proof stamps must be placed on rifles sold out of service in England. That rifle has no appearence of ever being in India.