LOOKING for INFO on SAVAGE Ts

[Peter Laidler]

The reason why some US rifles converted to T spec have UK made 5 groove barrels could be down to the fact that the original spec was that the rifles should conform exactly to the spec laid down. And that spec was drawn up while the norm was the original, early spec. - 5 grooves, split foresight block band etc etc. So original spec it had to be. But later common sense prevailed and as we now know, plenty of two groovers and solid block foresight block bands passed through the doors.

Information

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[Judge223]

so is it BEST to leave a T like this without the scope? even though there is one.... just not born with it.... I bought the transit case.... & the guy said he has everything.... AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOt sure why he would break all apart & sell off.......

[Brian Dick]

The two groove barrels most Savage rifles were fitted with didn't make the No.4T conversion specification hence the change to a five groove barrel. Early Savage Mk.1 rifles retained the six groove barrel. I think some two groove barrels also slipped through the conversion process too so nothing is written in stone. The forends will interchange with no problem regardless of who made the barrel. I'd guess that British made replacements were used when the existing forend wouldn't meet the conversion standard for whatever reason. As for the Savage made Mk.1 rear sights, I think many were supplied as spares to both England and Canada. They can be found as modified on Long Branch conversions also.

I had 400 or so of the South African War Reserve No.4's as imported by Interarms in the early to mid 1990's. There were quite a few Savage rifles, (probably 50 or 60 give or take), and a very few Long Branch in the mix which was mostly post war Fazakerley production; Mk.1, 1/2 conversions, and some early Mk.2. Some of the Savage rifles were in new condition other than handling marks in the woodwork. I found 10 or 12 early Mk.1 Savage rifles, one 5Cxxxx that I still have in original condition. All of the Savage rifles were dated '41 and '42. I don't recall seeing any dated '43 or the later undated '44 production rifles.

[MJ1]

Of the four T's I shoot when I can shoot I find the 12C and 13C Savage T rifles very accurate. That is interesting to me.

[Surpmil]

One thing you can say about the OP's rifle is that it has obviously had some service use from that amount of wear, at least IMO.

Some countries seem to have been in the habit of removing pads from No.4(T)s that were not being used as such. That didn't happen here, so perhaps it was actually used as intended.

The SOPs on matching numbers etc. may not have been followed at all in some of those countries, particularly the smaller, darker ones which had fewer rifles, and make little use of them.

Watson No.32 Mk.I No. 2203 if anyone is looking for it?

As for barrels and rifling, I wouldn't draw any conclusions from that without knowing barrel date and maker.

[Peter Laidler]

Ex No4 T rifles were fairly common as DP No4's with screws glued into the holes and not so common as SKN rifles.

£Watson 2203. In the batch where it could be 1942 or '43. The year date bounces about a bit in that serial number range