Just took delivery of this and I think it's a duff one. Perhaps I'll have to eat my words on the De-Act thing!.

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As it had already been stamped "EY" and barred out so I suspect that it's path continued to "DP" and it has had "DP" ground off the receiver and over-stamped with a new proof mark on entering civilian life, as I can't see any other reason for the removal of metal at that point. It also has some red paint in the middle right of the buttstock which looks like a possible slanted 2" high "F".

The Bolt, which also has a new proof mark, has I think "DP" on it although it is mis-matched and the "D" of "DP" looks like an "r". The bolt head(No proof mark) is marked X/H7 I think and has some 5 or 6 centre punch marks on it possibly obliterating something. It has a new barrel in 44 I think so I believe that it is a resurrected and re-proofed "DP" rifle around that time although the grinding looks recent. The bolt is sloppy and I suspect too much headspace, the body looks as though it's seen some rust and I think the star on the receiver aside the knox form means it had a barrel problem with rust.
Lovely rifle, fantastic workmanship to possibly original woodwork, volley sights........
Any comments?. Do the proof marks look VERY recent?.
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