No. 4 (T) DP rifle

[tower06]

Something else I just noticed going back to the photo's at the start of the thread; it has a modified SMLE mag in it. Note the flutes running to the very bottom of the mag casing. However, the locating rib down the rear face of the mag looks to have been shortened as per the norm for No4 mags. I have a couple of these somewhere - not fantastically rare, but scarce-ish.

The mag actually does not match the serial number of the rifle, that may explain the mismatch there.

[Roger Payne]

Thanks Tower. It could have been correct I guess, as a number of SMLE mags seem to have been officially modified to fit No4's, presumably during WW2. It is certainly perfectly acceptable - & you don't see lots of them.

It's turning out to be quite an interesting rifle......

[Peter Laidler]

Talking of which...... For the .22" N9 programme, it is said that BSA pulled a fast one on the Admiralty NOB's (that's not being impolite, it's the Admiralty Naval Ordnance Board.....) and told them that they had to use these No1 rifle magazines (called 'special' magazines in the documents.....) in order to make the rifle magazine fed. Accordingly, the price was upped and BSA were able to get shot of a load of redundant almost un-saleable No1 magazines to boot plus almost 50% extra for spare parts.

[tower06]

Interesting. This truly is turning out to be an interesting rifle. I found original pads and mount for it, shame it cant be shot. Guess ill save them for when I find a shooter.

Thanks again for the info. Im learning more everyday.