Is building a replica 4T a taboo?

[Surpmil]

If you're not building it yourself, a member here in Canada (BC) has made some very nice reproduction chests.

[flying pig]

Might not be a bad idea either,any idea what he charges for one?

[flying pig]

Wondering about the butt plate for this rifle. It was FTR'd at Faz and has a brass Faz marked plate on its LB butt that doesn't fit well at all. Were brass plates found on original LB snipers? If the plate stays with this rifle I need to re fit it. Does anyone have any tips or tricks to make it fit better or to fit a new Zemac plate if that's more proper on this LB representative piece?

[Peter Laidler]

I've fitted one or two (million) butt plates....... Just use a file and fit the wood to the butt plate, taking off the high spots until it is a good fit all over. The wood of the butt should JUST extend to outside the outer edge of the butt plate.

[flying pig]

Thanks Peter sounds easy! Ha ha!

I should hopefully have a day off Sunday so I will try to post the first progress pictures then.

[flying pig]

Here are some pictures of the rifle I plan on using for this conversion. Everything is going really well with its restoration so far, except of course the rear sight pin on this one was a real pain. I had to work it back and fourth a bunch to get it out. I taped the area under and around it but still marked the finish a bit. Guess I can touch it up later.

The whole rifle still had a very old dried on layer of cosmo. The magazine was loaded with it. The finish (besides my bit I marred) verges on new. The bore on this one is pristine as well, the fellow I bought it from bought it when it left the service, and only fired four shots out of it, ever. '51 dated Faz barrel, and a mixed bag of Faz and LB parts.









Here is how it looks now, partly restored. The Paki wood is quite oversized and very dark, but I think a shot of pink stain to it and black to the butt and cheekrest should have things pretty well matched color wise.
















There's the butt plate I was asking about earlier. I'm still thinking I want a Longbranch plate on there, the Faz plate just looks funny because of how far down in the tab recess it sits.

Total cost so far is under $1100 Canadian, including my repro scope and mount from a reputable member here in Canada, the No7's transit chest, cheek rest, sling, target swivel, all the metal bits, woodset and the base rifle. Basically all said and done I will be under $1200, all that is left is drill bits, taps, and fasteners. Unless something bad happens and it needs to be re-finished before I am happy, or I get done the the basic restoration and it shoots like a turd, in which case the hunt for another donor will be on again.

Possible range report after the weekend, depending on how much I manage to get done before then.

[Salt Flat]

It sure looks better. Putting the wood back to original makes for a dramatic change. Fun project! Salt Flat

[Ridolpho]

Flying Pig: I'd say the POF Mk2 forend looks pretty good. How are you planning to create the flat for the front pad? Being a Longbranch it looks like quite a bit of material will have to be removed for the installation. Are you going to have it milled or try to use files? Just curious as I may attempt one myself someday. The replica I own used a Savage MK1* which comes from the factory with a flat area close enough to the ring to place a pad with no milling or filing (gap about 3/16 inch). It looks like Israeli conversions I've seen photos of. Look forward to seeing how your project goes.

Ridolpho

[flying pig]

I'm not too sure yet as far as milling or filing goes, have to wait until the scope, mount, and pads arrive. The plan was to file it how Peter described in his articles, but if it proves to be far too much material may have to call a friend on that one!

Is there anyone in the Grande Prairie area who has a real 4T they may be willing to let me have a look at?

[flying pig]

Scope, mount, and pads are here. Doesn't look to bad to my naked untrained eye, guess I will see when I start mocking things up. The front pad lays down flat on the receiver, the rear looks like it might need some shaping but that's down the road.