No.4 Mk1 (T) restoration project

[Roger Payne]

Hi Peval65, re your question on the brass turret assembly - some were chemically blacked & some were painted. Off the top of my head I can't remember for certain if all Watson Mk2's were chemically done or painted, though speaking from memory I think they were painted with black enamel type paint.

Maybe one of the other forummers could help with the correct name to describe the exact shade of green that the scope tins were originally painted? I can recognise it but I couldn't describe it accurately for you!

[Peter Laidler]

Correct shade of green for the tin? Take it to your local paint supplier and they will mix a tin of paint for an exact colour match. BUT, if you want the colour specified for a workshop rebuild in the 60's, 70's and 80's here in the UK, then it's DEEP BRONZE GREEN.

[PrinzEugen]

I wouldn't repaint the tin at all to be honest - it'll just look like a repro of which there are a great many - leave as is unless you want to kill the value. Personally I'd have left the scope as was too as it's all about the history for me. It was painted like that 'in service' and for me therein lies the charm.

[peval65]

Here are pics of the action, barrel and parts after stripping job.
Original black paint survives just in very few corners or hidden parts.
I believe to leave these parts in this conditions.... just oil.
I believe the awful spray can job was made here by the importer.

The color of the tin I asked just to verify if the underneath visible color could be the original.
Someone can tell me the meaning of the writing on it? Could it be related to the Indian service or the whole new green paint and writing is a very new job like the black on the rifle?

I noted the front sight slanted surface in front of the shooter, without any anti reflecting work and...... the swivel and upper band with massive brass soldering (not the narrow band).....are these things corrects?

Always thanks.
Paolo

[Peter Laidler]

I can only see one mark on the telescope case and that is AV2506. That is the rifle number of which that case and telescope originally belonged. Indicating to me that it is not original to your rifle. But so what........ That's how things are in the real world. The old painted over paper on the left hand inside of the lid are the remains of the old user instructions. I can't see any other marks.

Figure 17 - unknown
.015 = height of foresight blade + 1" so it is 1.015" above the centre line of the bore
45 = barrel date and various proof or examiners marks
32294, beaten into barrel by over zealous ham fisted Indian in-examiner.

Find a local engineering company locally and get the whole lot dunked into their phosphating tank or chemical blacking tank. IMPORTANT: There should/must be a spring washer between the front trigger guard sling swivel and the trigger guard. Make sure there is before you put it back together. In view of the unknown history of your rifle I'd read up on how to calculate the correct length of the collar for your rifle and fore-end. The collar is the little round tube sitting underneath the magazine catch in your photo

[peval65]

IMPORTANT: There should/must be a spring washer between the front trigger guard sling swivel and the trigger guard. Make sure there is before you put it back together.

Peter, no spring washer....there is a 2 mm of free space from trigger guard and swivel round part....is this space where the washer should be? I remember that before to unscrew the swivel, it did play a lot but did not turn a full 360°.

The actual collar moves freely with play, when the trigger guard is put onto the fore-end and action but without screw.

Have a good evening.
Thanks
Paolo

[Peter Laidler]

I think you need to read the article about fitting the fore-end. Can someone who's computer literate resurrect it and highlight the section Paulo needs to digest. Thanks

[CINDERS]

Here you go peval65 have a look at this https://www.google.com/url?q=https:/...DjhkW5IIF_i6iw

[peval65]

Here you go peval65 have a look at this https://www.google.com/url?q=https:/...DjhkW5IIF_i6iw

Many thanks to you and Peter...I will read it carefully.
Have a good evening.
Paolo

[peval65]

By the way... I go for one moment just a little out of the main subject.
I saw in many articles that the correct sling for this rifle is a WWI 1907 USGI leather sling and Sice I wish to buy the sling also and the rifle will be done to the indian standard, the question is:
is the 1907 sling correct also for the 4T in the indian service?

Thanks
Paolo