Thanks for update 303, at least we know we’re it come from, but was the ejector missing or it never had one ? Be interesting to look it over, but personally think it’s a bitsa rifle.
You mentioned leaking Conveyors, considering it was made as a training rifle the last thing you want is the trainee’s getting the Willys firing .22
I think 2 in the auction pics are original ( heavily corroded)
I’m guessing on an Engineering point of view a lot of hand fitting was necessary at the time, probably 5 or 10 were supplied with each rifle?
I remember a rifle I bought from a dealer up North a SMLE that was supposedly a Light Horse /yeomanry rifle, this originated from the late Chris Barber, It’s was a crock of Shite in all honesty , I did post pics on here and a handful of collectors did say it was a Chris Barber knock up, I had it on sale or return ……. Obviously it was returned, but Jeff Organ bought it , I received an email of his colleague who had starting working with Jeff after Jim had parted company, I disclosed the info I could , but it fell on deaf ears, and AFAIK it sold around £3 K ……
Back to the .22 in Holts, I’ve got doubts about it, the biggest flag is the story behind it.
I’ve probably returned over 5 rifles that originated from EFD in the past but were bought from other dealers.
Let’s hope the Buyer used his Credit Card …….
** Reason for returns were the rifles in question where not original or as described, I was just the RFD used for shipping etc, but like to sleep peacefully at night so always let the buyer know my veiws.