New Addition

[303 Gunner]

I took it out back this afternoon and got some more photos of it. The modifications I've noticed so far, aside from the obvious front end:

- The magazine well has been attached directly to the trigger guard with a Mauser-style release for the floor plate.
- The floor plate looks to have been adapted from an older rifle, as the numbering is in Ottoman script. From what I've read, Turkey eliminated that style of script in 1928. It additionally leaves two small gaps on the corners at the back of the plate.
- The oft mentioned "reinforcing bar" is actually hollow and attached to the receiver only along its lower edge. It looks to serve as a guide for the bolt head, which has had a deep slot cut into it which runs along the bar.
- As this rifle started life as a Mk III, it would have had a rear volley sight prior to conversion. The spacer that replaced it looks handmade, but analogous to the factory-made spacers seen on standard Mk III*'s
- Good eye on the charger guide. It looks like they built it up and recut it for 8mm Mauser chargers. There are also what look to be a couple metal pins in the left side of the bridge with some additional metal filled in on the left rear.
- The receiver ring has had a notch cut to allow for the longer 8mm Mauser cartridge.

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