1940 Dispersal, bad pitting, would it have been released like that?

[waw44]

So I picked up this project 1940 dispersal No1. It has black paint on the metal, which some say could be Indian, or it may be a post war BSA FTR work. The stock is a light wood stock, no stock disk, whihc makes me think post war BSA work.

What has me both curious and worried is the pitting on top of the barrel shank. It seems to be under the black paint. Would it have been released from FTR like that? The bore is very nice. Do you think this is restorable to shooting condition, or destined to be a wall hanger with this barrel issue?

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[ssgross]

that pitting is likely nothing to worry about what does the inside chamber worry about? a lot of those rifles saw some very wet service and storage. I have a 1941 longbranch with pitting like that on the places the wood touched the stock. inside bore is just fine (for it's age) and it shoots to a serviceable standard. The pitting looks super deep, and first thought is naturally worrisome...but in context it's entirely cosmetic. I asked the same question of mine when I was cleaning it up. I posted with pictures around here somewhere.

[capt14k]

That pitting is nothing to worry about.

[Alan de Enfield]

I'd suggest that the pitting and the black paint are both since it left service and occcurred in civilian hands'

Is it by any chance an RTI rifle ?

[lithgow1918]

I'd suggest that the pitting and the black paint are both since it left service and occcurred in civilian hands'

Is it by any chance an RTI rifle ?

If I'm not mistaken I see a cai import mark in the second photo.

[Alan de Enfield]

I'd suggest that the pitting and the black paint are both since it left service and occcurred in civilian hands'

Is it by any chance an RTI rifle ?

And now seeing that it is sporterised, I doubt it is an RTI. Just 'ridden hard and put away wet' and then painted over.

[browningautorifle]

Do you think this is restorable to shooting condition,

To answer the pointed question plainly, I suspect it's fine for shooting. Check headspace to see if it's even close or just shoot factory ammo. If the bore is good as you say then you'll be fine. If numbers match on bolt and action then it should be good. As for restoring it to original wood, likely too expensive a proposition. Just shoot it as is.

[waw44]

To answer the pointed question plainly, I suspect it's fine for shooting. Check headspace to see if it's even close or just shoot factory ammo. If the bore is good as you say then you'll be fine. If numbers match on bolt and action then it should be good. As for restoring it to original wood, likely too expensive a proposition. Just shoot it as is.

Thanks!

It's missing bolt, safety and magazine, so not going to shoot it anytime soon. On the other hand. It was $50 and I have a NOS front handguard and a NOS walnut forend in my parts bin, so it may be worth it bringing it back to life.

[Alan de Enfield]

It's missing bolt,

You know how to properly fit a new bolt ?

[waw44]

You know how to properly fit a new bolt ?

No, other than headspace it with a Field Gage, I do not. Reading Peter Laidler's CHS article is the extent of my education. If it fails on Field Gage, see if there are longer bolt heads that would have the correct headspace. If not, pretty much game over.

That's my rudimentary understanding, but I'm all ears...