No4(T) Deal

[pe4king]

Well I have finally realised one of my dreams and added a No4 (T) to my collection, it is a 1943 BSA Shirley from the Y prefixed 5 digit ser No the only other place I can find the M47C is next to the front bedding screw, it was also FTR'd in 48, the only thing I am missing is the scope tin and its contents as I already have a nice scouting telescope, anyway Im happy with it, here are a few pics to peruse

Information

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

BEAUTIFUL! Congradulations! Great photos.

[Mag Fed]

Congrats! Very nice indeed.

[Peter Laidler]

That TR, the S and the stake marks look to me as though they've been done after the FTR of 1948 and the pads just don't seem to match the rifle somehow. Call me an old cynic who's seen just a few of them.................. And that bracket looks..............

[Roger Payne]

I don't want to pee on anyone's cornflakes but I'm 100% with PL on this one. The front pad looks suspect to me, the rear pad screws have been crudely filed off, the TR looks much sharper than the rifle serial. The butt looks like a sanded original to me, but there is a tiny gap between the butt & the butt socket suggesting to me (FWIW) that the butt either isn't original to the rifle or has at least been 'off & on again'. The screws on both pads look to have been staked recently & those on the front pad are bare metal with no finish. There are what look to be machining marks just about visible on the front pad that are not typical at least of the few originals I've seen......

The transit case looks like an original that's been repainted, but then had the well worn original handles re-fitted. The scope is fine. Not sure where the bracket hails from but it is possible that it may be more likely Eastern Europe than Gainsborough or Glasgow....
Were you given any provenance with the rifle? It might be worth asking the vendor a few more questions over the issues we've raised here; tho' that's only my suggestion for what it's worth. I've been totally wrong often enough before!

ATB

[pe4king]

Thank you for your input both Peter and Roger you mention the stampings and stake marks looking "newer" I think that must be a trick of the light because in the flesh they all seem to blend in well, however I do value your opinions especially as both of you are world authorities on the subject.
As for provanance all I have is the word of the chap that I did the deal with, which I have no reason what soever to doubt, he told me that the rifle came from the estate of a very well known ex chief constable and was told when he purchased it 2 years ago that it was all correct, I was also told that Peter had looked at it and said it was a nice rifle im not trying to catch anybody out all I really want to do is show off my new aqisition.

[Brian B]

I don't have anything to add to the No4T discussion, but I would love to see the rifle in the metal case next to it in the first picture (L96A1 perhaps?)

[pe4king]

I don't have anything to add to the No4T discussion, but I would love to see the rifle in the metal case next to it in the first picture (L96A1 perhaps?)

Very close it isin fact an accuracy international AW which is fitted with an issue L17A1 issue Schmidt and bender scope I may have some pics about somewhere or if you search YouTube for me pe4king you will see vid of my boy using it

[jmoore]

I can't form much of an opinion as only two photos are in good focus (and one of those is of the coiled sling). Stock has been scrubbed some. Otherwise? Nope, not gonna step in.

[Peter Laidler]

Peking, in view of the serious doubts expressed about the rifle, are you STILL sure about it? With that provenance (?) it should be easy to verify. You can be rest assured that it certainly wasn't THIS Peter who saw it and verified it unless it was dark an I was wearing a hood. The comments have been passed on what the forumers have seen - and the camera cannot lie..............

That bracket is like no pother I have ever encountered too........

Here's the acid test. Collimate the grat to the optical axis of the telescope and then mount the bracket and bore sight it.