why was this work of art despised?

[arado]

I read in "shots fired in anger" that this rifle was looked down on. I found it accurate and easy to carry and shoot. Made to a very high standard. hard chrome bore etc. it is a T44 I used the bayonet as a monopod. I found the 6.5 recoil pleasant. This one is mine...

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[seabot2]

Wow. Nice T44 . There were three variations of them. The first had an accuracy problem, so they free floated the barrels on the second and third variations which improved accuracy. I handled one in similar condition, not sure which variation it was at that time. The bolt was mismatched and the safety would not engage. I tried three different T38 bolts on it and the problem was still there.

[seabot2]

Just to pass some time here and add to this subject. In the above comment, I am not saying all the T44 had a safety problem. The gun I was asked to look at was brought into the indoor gunclub I shoot at, and left with the owner of the club to sell. Asking price was more than what I would have paid for it, $300 ( year was 1991). The gun was in near mint condition with the mum intact, but with a mismatched bolt. We all noticed that the bolt had a hard time closing and the safety would not engage at all. I later brought in three T38 bolts to try on it and the problem was still there.In my opinion the breech end of the receiver (about 11:00 position) needed to be ground as it was hitting the bolts safety knob as the bolt was pushed forward.
The T44 was put up for sale at our local gunshow and a collector that I know bought it. The tale of this gun ended up badly. This collector's wife had committed a white collar crime involving her husband and from what I have heard, all his guns were confiscated by the police and dumped into the ocean.

[jmoore]

We all noticed that the bolt had a hard time closing and the safety would not engage at all. I later brought in three T38 bolts to try on it and the problem was still there.In my opinion the breech end of the receiver (about 11:00 position) needed to be ground as it was hitting the bolts safety knob as the bolt was pushed forward.

Usually, the safety function can be addressed without modding the receiver. First thing to attack would be the end cap. But sometimes it's the interaction between all four components: receiver, end cap, bolt and firing pin.

[browningautorifle]

Sounds like these needed more hand fitting than a military rifle should want...

[jmoore]

Sounds like these needed more hand fitting than a military rifle should want...

No worse than many Mauser safeties. Just somewhat less obvious.

[browningautorifle]

It just seemed strange to me, considering how many rifles the Japanese war machine made...

[jmoore]

It just seemed strange to me, considering how many rifles the Japanese war machine made...

Compared to the intricacies of the British L-E it seems ever so simple!