Savage No.4 Mk1 (T) - Authentification Request

[Lee Enfield]

I didn't see any stake marks on the one Badger linked either. I'd think those were done once a scope was fitted and the pads "shaved" accordingly.

Attachment 77681
Attachment 77683 (this one is actually a 15C MkI*T)

No, it's an indicator that the Savage No4T rifles were converted at the beginning of the program, before staked pads became part of the program rather than towards the end as has been suggested by some researchers.

In regards to Long Branch snipers not being staked, it's another example of a production change which was not passed on to Canadian production.

[Hesalite]

Very few Savage or Long Branch No4 snipers exhibit staked pad screws.

Most Brit cheek pieces appear to have been elm, or even oak.

Attachment 77682You can see that the cheek piece is stained here.

All good news

[Seaforth72]

This rifle, 0C4338, appears to me to be a legitimate Stevens-Savage 1942 No. 4 MK. I (T. LESS TELESCOPE). Note that it is NOT a No. 4 MK. I (T) as it was never completed as a sniper rifle, however it is a legitimate variation, being one of a few thousand that went part of the way through the conversion process at Holland and Holland. She is the 4,338th No. 4 rifle made by Stevens-Savage out of over a million and is still the No. 4 Mark I model and has the original matching "low wood" and the correct Mark I cocking piece. The "button" style was apparently designed to reduced the risk of injury to the web of the right hand during bayonet fighting, but to speed up production, the simpler MK. II version soon came into use. Stock fore-end has the matching serial number (only the last four digits were stamped i.e. "4338") and the low wood for the non-existant magazine cut-off which was on the Trials rifles but not on the production rifles.

For display and plinking you can mount a replica or original bracket and scope as these do not damage or permanently change it.

[Hesalite]

This rifle, 0C4338, appears to me to be a legitimate Stevens-Savage 1942 No. 4 MK. I (T. LESS TELESCOPE). Note that it is NOT a No. 4 MK. I (T) as it was never completed as a sniper rifle, however it is a legitimate variation, being one of a few thousand that went part of the way through the conversion process at Holland and Holland. She is the 4,338th No. 4 rifle made by Stevens-Savage out of over a million and is still the No. 4 Mark I model and has the original matching "low wood" and the correct Mark I cocking piece. The "button" style was apparently designed to reduced the risk of injury to the web of the right hand during bayonet fighting, but to speed up production, the simpler MK. II version soon came into use. Stock fore-end has the matching serial number (only the last four digits were stamped i.e. "4338") and the low wood for the non-existant magazine cut-off which was on the Trials rifles but not on the production rifles.

For display and plinking you can mount a replica or original bracket and scope as these do not damage or permanently change it.

#4,000 or so out of a million...that brought a smile Tommy face

I'm thinking of getting one of the reproduction No.32's sold at Numrich's website. I asked Brian whether a Mk1 or Mk2 would be "correct". I agree with his response that either would be, as the rifle was never fitted with a scope. That being said, what are your thoughts? Any advantages to either Mk?

[Ridolpho]

Question to the experts- this rifle would appear to have been used (replacement bolt with different font). Were the T-less scope Savages commonly issued for use, as is, without scope? And Hesalite, if I owned an early Savage T-less scope I'd be looking for a genuine No. 32 scope and bracket to put on it. If your goal is to shoot it, as opposed to just completing the "look", you could also buy a repro bracket and use a Weaver K3 or similar scope in it. In nay case you've got a gem there!

Ridolpho

[smle addict]

Hesalite, that's a very nice rifle you acquired, I was watching that one on GB as well. You did good!

Ridoplho, I'm not trying to be picky, but I believe the different fonts are common on the Savage rifles. I have had a few standard savage No4's, and I noticed the fonts between bolt and receiver do indeed differ.

Here is the receiver and bolt from my Savage (T-less) for example. The fonts match Hesalite's new rifle.

Hope this helps!

[Hesalite]

Hesalite, that's a very nice rifle you acquired, I was watching that one on GB as well. You did good!

Ridoplho, I'm not trying to be picky, but I believe the different fonts are common on the Savage rifles. I have had a few standard savage No4's, and I noticed the fonts between bolt and receiver do indeed differ.

Here is the receiver and bolt from my Savage (T-less) for example. The fonts match Hesalite's new rifle.

Hope this helps!

Every Savage I've had showed the serial punched into the bolt as your photo shows. Thank you by the way! It was in too nice condition not to pass up. Seriously this has been my dream rifle for 10 years.

[Roger Payne]

On UK 4T's in my experience the commonest wood for cheekpieces is beech, although a lot, particularly on later rifles are either oak or ash (I can't tell the difference but was told ash would be more likely due to the corrosive (to steel) chemicals present in oak). A few are stained birch - the few I've seen have generally been on early H&H converted rifles. Never seen a genuine walnut 'piece on a British set up rifle - though they might exist....`

I think a lot of the pad staking occurred once the rifles were already in service, & went through armourer's hands.

[Ridolpho]

Hesalite, that's a very nice rifle you acquired, I was watching that one on GB as well. You did good!

Ridoplho, I'm not trying to be picky, but I believe the different fonts are common on the Savage rifles. I have had a few standard savage No4's, and I noticed the fonts between bolt and receiver do indeed differ.

Here is the receiver and bolt from my Savage (T-less) for example. The fonts match Hesalite's new rifle.

Hope this helps!

Thanks smle addict- I wasn't aware of that. Now you've got me wondering if matching font on body/ bolt is the rule for all other factories!

Ridolpho

[Hesalite]

Thanks smle addict- I wasn't aware of that. Now you've got me wondering if matching font on body/ bolt is the rule for all other factories!

Ridolpho

My 1950 Long Branch was the same way; nice clean serial on receiver, but punched in somewhat crudely on the bolt.