It Is What It Is...

[SpikeDD]

As not to clutter an existing post with deviated material, I'm putting this here.

For those of you whom may have read my small biography about my personal collecting origins/agendas, this will make sense.

I purchased this rifle as a representative example of what is done to rifles when they return to the armory for whatever reason. It has view dates and excellent wood repairs that reflect what may have been done during those "viewings". It also has a couple of early features, the adjustable rear sight and cut-off, that remained through it's arsenal adventures. The retention of these early features I believe represent both the rifle having been returned to MK.III status and the "may embody" clause in the List Of changes 2, Feb 1916.

It had been well cared for before I purchased it and retains the linseed oil finish it came with. The barrel was changed in I believe 1925...can't remember for sure.

The parts all match, except the nose cap which has "0 3 0" or a backwards "C" 3 C. The bolt body is EFD marked and the cocking piece BSA. The windage adjustable rear sight was originally on a BSA rifle then numbered to this one. The forestock number is all but visible but it is 4 digit and starts with a "2" so perhaps the original...who knows.

I wouldn't change a thing on this rifle because of what I see that it represents.

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Upon closer examination of my own photos... I can make out that the barrel date is '34

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

Love it...right down to the patches. Lots of them too. I'm sure Peter will have his nose close to the screen to assess them...very nice on any account.

[Peter Laidler]

It just reeks of that indefinable thing called character. The criteria for wood patching during the war was that so long as the item remained 'sound', then the actual number of patches was academic.

[browningautorifle]

You'd probably still pass it for serviceable...because it appears to be...

[Buccaneer]

I wouldn't change a thing on this rifle because of what I see that it represents.

A really great example of a well used service with all the history intact, given the choice between this and a tarted up rifle I would choose the old girl every time, as Peter has said it has character and that is worth a great deal in my book.

[Peter Laidler]

It's a great example of one of four that were found in the cellars of the old TA centre at XXXXXXX when it was closed down. 2 were made up into useable shooting examples using the other 2 as spares and the third made up as a 'looks good but internally useless' wall hanger in the new TA centre main office. The 4th one was virtually scrap and sent to workshops for certified destruction. But over a few months it was cleaned down, very carefully and sympathetically neutered, then sent through the system and the really badly moth-eaten woodwork made good with so many patches that it looked like your grandma's bed quilt! But it did attract many admiring looks from the passing Armourers who admired the workmanship.

Just like I admire that rifle Spike!

10 or so years later and sadly, the workshop was due for closure and disposal, along with all of the kit and equipment there. ..................You don't really think that I allowed it to go for scrap do you?