Does this A4 look legit?

[CaRbZ13]

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/di...1682&oh=216543

His shop is a little over an hour away from my house and I'd like the experts opinions before I make the trip.

Information

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[Mike D]

The serial number puts it in the first block of 03a4's. Obviously been through rebuild with all the parts being parked. I would ask about the barrel. The date of the barrel is not pictured. Ask whats with the scratches on barrel in pic? It should have a '43 barrel date and most likely be 4-groove. Scope and rings were put on later by someone. Nice stock but looks like it could have been sanded. Just my opinions.

[Emri]

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/di...1682&oh=216543

His shop is a little over an hour away from my house and I'd like the experts opinions before I make the trip.

I'm not an expert, but my friend collects A4's only and I have looked at all of his as he explained them to me.

It is an early first block that has been re-built. At that, it is still a legitimate A4 as most all first block rifles were rebuilt. That doesn't mean no one could have assembled it or changed parts out in the meantime, but still it is an A4. The "C" stock was used on first block rifles and should have an "S" in the magazine switch cut-out. If there is a "K" in the cutout, it is a replacement that shouldn't have the Remington inspection marks. The opening bid seems quite reasonable for a re-build. I'd be sure he wants more. 2500 would be about right with the scope. Don't let anyone tell you the scope is "wrong" for that rifle. As a re-built rifle it very well could have had an M84 on it during Korea or something else later than that.

HTH,

Emri

[JGaynor]

It is a real A4.

Its been rebarreled (and reproofed). The original barrel would have been a Feb or Mar 43 4 groove.
Its been completely refinished. The bolt and small metal parts, with a couple of exceptions, would have been blued.

The boxed RIA/EB mark i believe dates the rebuild to somewhere between 1947 and 1958.

The stock at least appears to be an original factory A4 stock. it might even be orignal to this action but i wouldn't count on it. Rifles going in for rebuild were taken to pieces. Usable components were recycled where appropriate.
A "lick and a promise" on a belt sander is typical for an RIA rebuild.

The scope is correct but dates from a later period.

All of this is not necessarily bad. A substantial percentage of A4's still in existance have been thru some level of rebuild so in a lot of respects "this is almost as good as it gets".

If you decide to make the trip:
You'll want to closely inspect the bolt handle notch.
Check to see if there is a punch mark on the underside of the barrel roughly centered under the front sight notches. Not a deal breaker if its missing but if its there it could mean it was a an original production barrel that was bound over as a spare part.
Check the optics for crud inside the tube, fogginess etc. If the scope is poor discount by $200.-$300.
Ask if there is DCM or CMP paperwork.

Regards,

Jim

PS: Let us know how you make out

[Calfed]

I always thought that the A4 used the vertically split rings. I notice this rifle has the horizontally split rings.

Did the military switch over the the horizontally split rings at some point?

[Calfed]

Duplicate

[JGaynor]

Calfed the horizontally split 7/8" rings are the only rings that can be used with an M84. Top split rings in either 3/4" or 7/8" diameter were used with the other issue scopes which had removable optical elements (e.g. eye pieces). The M84, being sealed, required a two piece ring.

Regards,

Jim

[Chuckindenver]

Lyman made the 7/8,s 24mm split rings, and a JR mount as well for the A4 during the time of the M82 and M84 scopes.
not sure the rings on that rifle are GI, hard to tell with the pics he has.
any way, making them look right isnt the issue.
the last picture shows a light prick mark on the barrel.

[CaRbZ13]

Thanks for all the help

I might make the trip next weekend, the big gun show in the area will be coming around again soon, so I might be heading there also to see if anyone has one for sale, in that case I'll be asking for help again

[JGaynor]

Here is a manual photo showing a Lyman Alaskan mounted in the top split rings.

Regards,

Jim