Help with Identification and possibly value ...

[jmoore]

...and welcome to our forum Bakermark65.

 

Sorry about that mess, as well! I allowed myself to get sucked into what is likely a completely irrelavent discussion vis. your situation. Enjoy your rifle and don't worry.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I sent Bakermark65 a PM and hope he reads it. Maybe he'll come back, but most likely he won't,
I received no reply from him.

I know (hope) that nobody here ever means anything intentionally hurtful or insulting. Sometimes things are written without thinking how they actually sound.
Without voice inflection involved, comments can look very insulting without that intent. The silly looking 'emoticons' we use can help very much at times to convey actual meaning.

Sometimes written comments (especially in a forum environment) come off as rude, insulting, and even intimidating when it's not really intended. (?)
I'm not sure here myself.

Regardless, It wasn't a very good response to his first post here, and now I'm pretty sure he's even afraid to post anything on top of having his father's integrity questioned.

If his father was a career soldier and vet of three wars he has every right to be proud of his father. He should have been commended on his father's service -
We all know that there are many thousands of 'bring backs' of this vintage, and they were brought back by a myriad of means, and the government wrote them off long ago.
They didn't keep records, and after they were disposed of as obsolete they were not tracked at all. They were surplus like aircraft, jeeps, etc and, they were junked or sold for pennies on the dollar; and that was that. It's history.

I would have loved to have heard more about his father's service. I would have really liked to have seen the rifle too, but I can understand why he would be reluctant to even want to post anything now. There are experts here who could have informed him probably better than he could have found anywhere.

It's a real pity and we all may have missed out.

JMO
~ Harlan

[Bakermark65]

Thanks, and I did receive your PM. I have no worries, and I take no offense by anything anyone wrote. You know what they say about opinions....everybody has one!!

I am quite certain that "dear old dad" didn't steal anything, and I was merely expounding on what my brother had said. I will try and get some pics of things up here as soon as I figure out how all this works.

I wish everybody a happy holiday!

[pmclaine]

Who cares how Dear old Dad got it. He more than earned it. A greatful nation should allow its service men to retain their firearms (ala the Swiss) as an act of gratitude and to have a ready reserve.

I hope you can get some good information from the knowledgeable people on the forum regarding your rifle.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

It's great to see you back! I think you'll really enjoy this site, and especially this forum.
The guys here are great people.

I'm looking forward to photos of you rifle and more info about your dad.

If you need any help posting photos don't hesitate to ask.
(It's actually easy to do once you figure out just where you need to 'click') -

Here's a link to a tutorial that 'Badger' (Doug, our site owner) put together:
How do I upload or post images on MILSURPS.COM?

Also, the link in the area above the posts in the 'sticky' area that 'Rick the Librarian' put together about how to take gun photos is very helpful
Firearms photography

Best regards,
~Harlan

[Bakermark65]

After some observation and perusing, it looks as if the stock of my rifle may have been "sporterized". I had seen many posts in regards to this, but after some specific searching, I now know what this means. The stock seems to have been abbreviated right before the first band on the barrel, so there is a long look to the barrel. I still plan to post some pics of the rifle, but I am guessing now that the rifle has little to no value due to it's stock being hacked off and apparently sanded, there are no markings on it that I can see.

I guess it really doesn't matter though, I would probaby like to use it as a shooter at the gun club anyway!!

As soon as lighting allows, I will get some pics up.

[Mike D]

Sportered stocks are common, and an easy fix (if you want to spend the money). If the metal is still original, you still have alot of value.

An original A4 stock is very expensive ($500-800), depending, but would be worth it in the long run, if the rest of the gun is in nice original shape.

Really looking forward to some photos!

[Hollywood]

Bakermark65, welcome to the funhouse! Looking forward to seeing pics of your rifle!

[sakorick]

I guess I'm the bad guy here but it ticks me off when I read "From what my brother has told me, this was "procured" by dear old Dad, during either WWII or Korea". My Dad flew 52 missions in the South Pacific during WWII was shot down and earned the DFC. I flew helicopter gunships in RVN for two years and earned 27 Air medals, 2 Bronze Stars one for valor and flew over 1800 combat hours. Never for one second did I ever consider "procuring" any government property and neither did my father. I would like to think that the rifle in question was not stolen and perhaps acquired legally and the brother's story is just a story. His devotion to our country is what matters and I am grateful to his sacrifice and service. I hope I have made my thoughts clear on this subject and consider the matter at rest. I would also like to see pictures of the rifle as it is a national treasure. Finally, IMHO, restoration is worth the effort irrespective of the cost. Regards, Rick.


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[Calif-Steve]

There are no good guys or bad guys here. We all have the right to our opinions. This has been both interesting and entertaining. I really would like to see a photo or two. Given the family history a full re-build is only fair. Good luck on the project.