We were discussing in another thread whether the Savage and perhaps Maltby rifles were converted as they had Mk.I backsights already fitted and other No4s did not at that time.
Could it also be the case that the incomplete "Less Telescope" Savage rifles we see were put aside unfinished when either a supply of Mk.I sights was secured from Savage or UKproduction caught up, allowing BSA rifles to be used exclusively?
The fact that a quantity of them could possibly have built up at H&H does suggest that the conversion process was in two parts: the fitting of the pads, and the later fitting of the brackets. Perhaps the latter process was slower as otherwise it's hard to see how a quantity of any rifles could accumulate without brackets being fitted. Fitting the brackets did involve range zeroing, transportation etc. so wouldn't be so surprising if a backlog developed?
Michael Doyne, are you compiling an Excel spreadsheet with all these details?