No. 4 Mk 2

[ssgross]

That was going to be my next question. There is a rectangular piece of soft putty like compound. The front sight blade was loose and could be pushed out with little force from my finger. There was a slot underneath - on the male part of the dovetail where I could expand it with a screwdriver. It now fits tights. I guess all that's left is to shoot it.
Attachment 113614
There was also a couple strips of oil soaked cloth under the handgaurd ring. You can see them on the black box on my workbench just beside the bedding compound.

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[ssgross]

Has it been used as a target rifle?

As to the Parker Hale swivel, I've been googling and cannot find images of it in use. Interesting, the No. 4 in the forums banner seems to have one too, along with a second rear swivel in a weird location too.
I found this pic, but looks like a modern sling.
Attachment 113718
Looking forward to learning more.

[browningautorifle]

I used to use the center swivel regularly for a two point sling with my 7.62 Long Branch when I was shooting it. I also installed a PH 5C and a No 4"T" cheek piece.

[ssgross]

I also installed a PH 5C

https://www.emma-rifles.co.uk/produc...del-p-h-5c-15/
looks like those are a small fortune now.

[browningautorifle]

a small fortune now

For some time they have been.

[Bindi2]

For some time they have been.

Only for those that have been around for a long time for others that is the normal price. My first new vehicle cost just over $2,000 AUD my last one well over $70,000 AUD. When found today the $2,000 car brings much more than $2,000. Certain $10,000 cars from that era now bring from $250k to $400k and going up.
Lithgows are now in the $1,000 to $1,500 bracket for good bog standard used rifles.

[browningautorifle]

Only for those that have been around for a long time

I too remember cars at $2-$3000 CDN. I remember a Corvette Stingray was $5000 CDN and no soldier could afford it unless he took an overseas tour for the cash...Egypt for instance, Golan Heights... Anyway these sights were just cheap. My first came out of the weapons shop on an FN body cover that had been rigged from the old C2 cover and a 5C could be mounted. When I put that on an FN C1 it was magic, would shoot to within an inch or so of POA on any rifle you tried. Armorer Sgt gave the whole thing to me...and a Sterling SMG barrel, scads of walnut Long Branch #4 wood and parts...should I go on? Cheek pieces for #4T...

[Bindi2]

BAR that's very modern stuff, FN body my gawd I just missed out on the long lee range pattern rifles. Mk3,Mk3*with H barrels and P14s were the hot to trot gear then the No4s appeared.

[ssgross]

From what I've experienced collecting these old rifles...these kinds of design "flaws" (I mean that loosely - not trying to offend anyone) say a lot about the leadership mindset of the time. The US placed trust and confidence in the individual marksman early on. The MAS 36 I'm cleaning up now shows the other end of the extreme. I don't get how they decided that finer/better elevation adjustments (mk 2) were needed, but windage wasn't worth it.

[ssgross]

got this rifle to the range tonight.
The target details are 100 yds, Hornady 303 150gr SP over 37.2gr IMR4064, Remington No. 9 1/2 large rifle primers. My manual claims this gives ~2400 fps.
When I received this rifle, the front sight blade was loose in its dovetail. It has a "groove" underneath it so I used a screwdriver and a hammer to spread it out a bit to make it tight. I started mechanical center and was way left at 25 yds, eventually tapping the blade over until it was in line with what appeared to be a witness mark on the post. I then ran a new target out to 100yds to proceed shooting some 5 shot groups. The first is what you see. Took my time and shot the first 3 shots at 9 o'clock 10's. I was of course ecstatic!. What a rifle! That's right when I jinxed myself...forgot I was using a 6 o'clock hold sight picture - high 8 - then pulled the far 9 o'clock. I'll give myself a point for correctly calling the latter before looking up at the screen (oh yeah, we have target cameras at 100 yds at my range too).
Oh well. Shooting is a lot like golf - you're only ever one swing away from ruining an otherwise great round/score/day. Story of my life...flashes of brilliance interspersed with unintentional mediocrity.
The last round in the magazine seemed to always fail to feed, nosing onto the rim. It seems the right "tab" was not keeping it in line when another round feed above it. A light rap of my punch hammer (brought along for the sight) gave it a bit more grip and fixed that.
Attachment 114201Attachment 114202Attachment 114203
The short buttstock was very awkward for me at 6'6" with long arms and neck to match...but it should fit my son very well for the next several years!
Range was a lot less quite than normal. Wed. night is ladies night, and the pistol lanes are usually full, and I almost always have the 100yd lanes/room all to myself. Not tonight. All 7 other lanes were full. On my way out I only saw AR's, most with a friend or two and doing timed target drills or magazine dumps - because ammo is plentiful don't ya know.