some questions on a new No4mk1*

[jessehh]

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I just have a quick question about my new to me No4 Mk1*. It has FTR on the side with a date of 1963. On the receiver it has No4Mk1* but no "US property" markings. All the bits are of different makes, some "C" stamped and some "S" stamped. The butt is SA stamped. The plus side is that the bore is shiney and the barrel and receiver "match". Now the questions, is the serial number original (doesn't look ground down or molested) to the manufacturer? The serial number is 6 digits long. Was this an Indian rebuild (has "ishy screw in place)?
This is intended to be a shooter so I really wasnt worried about the value of matching this and that, I just would like a little more info then I can find on the interwebs.
Thanks in advance,
jesse
If she shoot well enough I might try and make it a fake sniper No4. Also, the first pic is of my No1Mk111* and my k98.

Information

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[ssj]

Need bigger pics please?

Based on what you have said,

If the serial number is something like 0Cxxxxx that is correct, C is the initial of the factory where it was made. A square S or S inside a square would be Savage parts so probably original. The bolt serial number should match the receiver for safety sake.

Telling us the serial number would probably revel the year if it isnt stamped on the wrist, unstamped would be later 1943 or 1944.

If its has something like,

"no4 mk 1/3 FTR F xxxxx"

it would probably be an upgrade done in the UK.

If it has just "FTR" and an Isshy screw it was probably indeed FTR'd in india.

Does it have a 2 or 5 groove barrel? The barrel might have a date say F50 or something....thats the year and F is the maker. There is a proof mark as well, that helps say were its from.

If "US property" is missing, I think its not unknown to be ground off by India?

That's my best guess...other's know far more than I, so I might be corrected.

[jessehh]

The serial number is a straight 6 numbers with no letters included. The "No4Mk1*" is original when compared to other rifles I've seen. The stamping near the loud end of the barrel is "half struck" in that I can only see the upper half of what was stamped. Trust me, I have looked with a magnifying glass and still can't really make out what the are. There are 2 groves in the barrel and unfortunately the bolt doesn't match the rest of the metal parts. The guy who I got it from did say that he shot it with no problems. I have known him for years and trust what he says.
I will take a closer look at everything when I get home and try and get better pics.

[ssj]

Take the bolt and a whiteboard marker. Clean the bolt lugs with a paper cloth and paint on the marker, close the bolt 2 or 3 times, the whiteboard marker should be scraped off both lugs and there should be a decent sized area on both say at least a 1/4 of the lug area, if its only 1 lug I wouldnt fire it myself.

[jessehh]

Will do! Just hope the wife is still up as getting to the gun locker is not a silent endevour.

[ssj]

As far as I am aware if its a mk1* there should be a letter. If its and "L" its Longbranch made, if its a C its Savage made. If its a mk1 It should start with 1 or 2 letters, though a mk1 is possible with L or C, but they are not common.

[jessehh]

Serial number reads 60188 and the bolt lugs shows good wear on one side and slight on the other.

[5thBatt]

As far as I am aware if its a mk1* there should be a letter. If its and "L" its Longbranch made, if its a C its Savage made. If its a mk1 It should start with 1 or 2 letters, though a mk1 is possible with L or C, but they are not common.

Maltby (iirc) made some No4s stamped as Mk1* but for what reason, is an unknown.

[Bear43]

You remember correctly, 5thBatt. Maltby did have a short run of rifles stamped Mk 1*. You don't see those too often, but every now and then one pops up.

[ssj]

I got almost got fooled by that wear just last week. The bolt had had its number falsified, when I checked with whiteboard marker it was one side only.

More experienced ppl need to help with a serial number like "60188" its like no serial number in my books or that I have seen.

---------- Post added at 10:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:39 AM ----------

Maltby (iirc) made some No4s stamped as Mk1* but for what reason, is an unknown.

However they are still numbered starting with a letter? and then a 2?