Whitaker Special Register

[Strangely Brown]

Sadly nothing with that serial number turns up between December 1977 and April 1983 which leads me to think it could be a late one Geoff produced in 1984...or possibly slightly later??

It's difficult to believe Geoff was still producing No.4 conversions as late the 1980's given the Swing came out in 1971 and started to immediately dominate the target rifle scene; what's that old saying...you can't keep a good rifle down!

[weeman]

Ah that's a shame you don't have any info in your books but I did have a feeling it was one of the last Geoff made, I would of loved to find out a bit more about it, at the time I was looking for a nice No4 mk1 and I found this and just had to have it, it's a lovely looking rifle and great to shoot, it's got what I think is a heavy hammer forged barrel possibly a fultons of bisley as it has a stamp (FB 607) yes you can't keep a good rifle down, this still out shoots some of the new rifles out today, thank you for your help it's very much appreciated

[Alan de Enfield]

I think is a heavy hammer forged barrel possibly a fultons of bisley as it has a stamp (FB 607)

I think you may find that the FB607 is the steel supplier and the steel batch number (quite commonly seen - normally around the Knocks area) Steel supplier is Firth Brown and steel batch no 607

[weeman]

I think you may find that the FB607 is the steel supplier and the steel batch number (quite commonly seen - normally around the Knocks area) Steel supplier is Firth Brown and steel batch no 607

Thanks for the info, iv just been reading about Firth Brown very interesting thank you

[Alan de Enfield]

Thanks for the info, iv just been reading about Firth Brown very interesting thank you

I don't know if you found this 'bit' ?


Thomas Firth supplied steel to the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield for the manufacture of rifle barrels, bayonets and other components, and it was their steel that helped make the world famous Colt revolvers unique in their day by having steel barrels and cylinders, unlike most manufacturers at the time who doggedly stuck to the traditional use of wrought iron.

Brown’s had, amongst other achievements, pioneered the rolling of armour plate and made the armour for HMS Warrior – Britain’s first iron warship. Soon after the discovery of stainless steel, the company would launch another of Britain’s most famous warships – the ill-fated HMS Hood.

The amalgamation of the two companies in 1903 to become Thomas Firth & John Brown Limited, usually known simply as Firth-Brown’s, was a natural step in uniting their interests. Likewise, their close relationship with the government made them the natural company to turn to early in 1912 when the War Department was seeking a better steel for rifle barrels – one that would resist wear more effectively and give the rifles a longer service life.

[mrclark303]

I can't remember if I ever posted the pics of my old Geoff Hart Whitaker build, (former Shirley T) but here she is for a photo reference. I was given the rifle by a very kind RFD who was about to scrap it as he 'couldn't give it away'. He brought it out as I apparently like crappy old rifles and I took it away for a donation of £25 into the christmas kitty!

I rarely used the rifle and ended up chopping it in for a No4 Mk1 from memory....