Savage with No 32 Setup

[Brian Dick]

Could be Rob. I'd guess that the unfinished Savage rifles weren't necessarily early or even mid-war production. I've seen a few unfinished Mk.1* conversions that sported British walnut forends and British five groove barrels dated '45. From what I've learned, those parts were changed at H&H during conversion because some forends were unsatisfactory and the rifles had 2 groove barrels from the factory which were not to sniper conversion spec. They were never completed either and didn't sport the selection TR or finish T stamps. To throw a wrench into the mix, I'm finishing up a restoration for a client in Texas that was a sporterized 1942 Savage No.4Mk.1T that was issued and used. Unfortunately, it had no original wood that I know of. At least he didn't send it except for the original cheek piece. He sent all nos Savage wood for the restoration. It has the small late or post war F.T.R. stamped under the serial number on the left side of the butt socket and a TR which was added by an Armourer at the RSAF most likely during FTR. It also has a five groove '45 date barrel which I'd guess is original as converted at H&H because I've seen them before as I mentioned. I reckon it could be its second barrel if it had a six-groove barrel from the factory. I don't think too many of the early Savage six groove barrels were used into 1942 production but could be wrong since it is a Mk.1 and not a Mk.1*. It's sn. 0C36xx. My original Savage No.4Mk.1T is 0C160, sports its original Savage six groove barrel and saw little or no use in service.