Quote Originally Posted by Brown Dog View Post
Apologies for resurrecting this thread.

Just reading through it having bought a 'TR' marked rifle from a pal.

The rifle was bought by him from Roger Payneicon a bunch of years ago as one of a bunch brought back from Rhodesia.

Having read all this, I'm rather alarmed to find that it should have a 'T' marking on the receiver wall between the two pads - this rifle has no such marking; (infact it's a magnifying glass job to even spot that there was once a serial number near that position too - until taking the No 4 (T) photo virtual tour I didn't even realise there was a number there!)

The receiver ring is marked
M 47 C
1944
M33920
TR

But the receiver wall is virtually bare (faintest signs of a serial number and no sign of a 'T')

I also notice that my bayonet lug proof mark is quite unlike that in the photo tour. Mine is stamped with 'BNP' under a crown. ".303" and then a small crossed sword stamp with 3 unreadable letters.

Dare I ask:
What have I got?
Are my markings 'within tolerance' or do I have a 'bitsa'?

Some sniper rifles didn't have telescopes fitted for whatever reason and therefore don't have the t on the receiver wall. I'm sure if it was bought from Roger Payne it is genuine as he's one of the most respected dealers around and an all-round top bloke too! Re the other markings on the receiver (the No4 mk1) - on bsas in particular these are often very faint if not invisible - so what you've got is entirely normal.

If you post pictures of it I'm sure the resident experts will tell you what's what.