1941 Savage No. 4 Mk 1 Sniper rifle?

[Bigwagon]

Thanks to Roger Payne, I was able to replace the butchered rear sight cursor with a matching SM marked piece. Thanks Roger! Still looking for a nice walnut fore end and hand guards. If anyone has any leads on those, please PM me.

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[Roger Payne]

That sight cursor looks like it grew there!

[bigduke6]

Bigwagon, I don't have a Fore-end but have plenty of the Handguards........ When you get the Fore-end then PM me some pics (in Natural light) then its possible I can match the hand guards to it.

[jonh172]

Bigwagon, I don't have a Fore-end but have plenty of the Handguards........ When you get the Fore-end then PM me some pics (in Natural light) then its possible I can match the hand guards to it.

Bigduke is a true gentleman, he helped me out with a set for a 43 restoration.

Sorry to say that resto has stalled with the recent addidtion to the family but once he's up and running I will have that complete pile of parts back on the bench!

Take all the advice you can from the very knowledgeable members here, they are a truly invaluable resource!

And please dont drill that receiver!

[Bigwagon]

And please dont drill that receiver!

Why on earth would you think I'd drill it? It's already got unmolested original scope mounts.

[Bigwagon]

I swapped out the fore end for another sporterized one I have from No. 4 Mk. 2 that fit much better and along with the repaired rear sight, the results on target were much better than last time. This is a five-shoot group at 100 yards that measures 1.5 inches (disregard the shot in the lower left from another rifle). Considering my eyesight challenges with irons, I'm quite pleased. I expect to be able to improve on this considerably with a scope and handloads.

[Seaforth72]

Bigwagon:

Some photos of details No. 4 Mk. I (T) 0C820, which was one of the 1,403 No. 4 Mk. I rifles converted to sniper equipment at R.S.A.F. Enfield are on this page on my web site. https://captainstevens.com/military/...ment-markings/ Yes, it also has the U.S. PROPERTY mark as discussed above.

Some things for you to check on:
1. Is there "S51" stamped on the underside of the butt, aft of the pistol grip?
2. Is there an inspection mark on top of the front scope pad as shown on 0C820 on the web page above?
3. When the butt is removed, is there a rifle serial number stamped on the top ledge (hidden when the butt is installed). IF a number is present they usually left off any letters, so it might read "1064".
4. Is there a scope serial number stamped on the top of the wrist of the butt, below the cocking piece?
5. Is there a "T" on the left side of the body flat? The partial detail views in your photos suggest there is no "T", but it would be good to have confirmation.

I am in the middle of selling (just awaiting final payment) another No. 4 Mk. I (T) Stevens-Savage rifle, serial number 0C5130 which also has the F.T.R. stamp superimposed on the U.S. flaming bomb and also has the "TR". It does not have the "T" nor the Enfield examiner's mark on the topside of the front scope pad. It does have the matching No. 32 Mk. III scope 23815 fitted to it during F.T.R. The butt is an "S" Stevens-Savage marked one, with no "S51" The rifle was fitted with a MK. II cocking piece and a Mk. II rear sling swivel and a sniper's swivel in front of the magazine. It has an Enfield marked low-wood fore-end. It retained the "S" Stevens-Savage backsight, modified of course to clear the scope. The scope SN is stamped into the wrist of the butt. The magazine is engraved (not stamped) on the bottom "0C5130" It has the U.S. PROPERTY mark as discussed above. The bracket is also numbered to this rifle. Bigwagon - if you want to send me your email by private message, I can send you detailed photos of both the factory original 0C820 and the F.T.R.'d 0C5130.

[Bigwagon]

Bigwagon:

Some things for you to check on:
1. Is there "S51" stamped on the underside of the butt, aft of the pistol grip?
2. Is there an inspection mark on top of the front scope pad as shown on 0C820 on the web page above?
3. When the butt is removed, is there a rifle serial number stamped on the top ledge (hidden when the butt is installed). IF a number is present they usually left off any letters, so it might read "1064".
4. Is there a scope serial number stamped on the top of the wrist of the butt, below the cocking piece?
5. Is there a "T" on the left side of the body flat? The partial detail views in your photos suggest there is no "T", but it would be good to have confirmation.

I don't see any of those marks on the rifle. I had earlier removed the buttstock to check for a SN but it doesn't have one. The only mark on the butt is a Crown stacked above R3 and the letter E under the wrist with a smaller "96" lower down the wrist. I will PM you about the photos.

I'd be curious about opinions as to whether this rifle is one of the early ones converted at Enfield.

[Roger Payne]

Just at thought Bigwagon, but if you are having problems sourcing a full set of walnut, you could look at another option. When your rifle (along with all or very nearly all other Savage made No4's) left the factory from 1941 onwards, it would have been stocked up in birch. If you've seen a few Savage made rifles that are still in original trim you'll know exactly what I mean; the wood was stained with a rather attractive orangey-brown stain, & is quite characteristic. Savage rifles that were selected for conversion to 4 (T) retained their wood, so you could opt for a set of birch, if that is any easier for you to find. Of course, it does leave the question as to why your particular rifle bears walnut butt! I suspect it could have been swapped over at the time of its FTR.......

Not trying to push you in any particular direction - it's your rifle - but you do have more than one choice.

ATB.

[Brian Dick]

I'm with Roger. Because it's been through obvious FTR, you can mix beech, walnut and birch to your hearts content. Armourers used what was on hand and the specification is that woodwork has to match reasonably well and that's all. If you want to stain it, I recommend Chestnut Ridge alcohol based military stock stain. I recently finished restoring a No.4T and the supplied woodwork is walnut and beech. It all matched remarkably well without having to stain. All I did was soak down the very dry but new woodwork with raw linseed oil.