A dug up SMLE battlefield shooter

[Roger Payne]

Hey John, there's another arms fair at the motorcycle museum this Sunday. Any chance you'll be coming? I'd love to have a look at your 4T in the flesh. I can't be sure from the photo's, but I think there's a very good chance it is an original gutted barrelled action that has been rebuilt, including the dreadful repro front pad (the rear's a repro too, by the way). It would be great to see it up close in person, as it were!

Oops! Sorry, I crossed threads as it were. Suppose this should be in the 4T not the dig-up SMLE thread. Mea culpa.

ATB
Roger.

[john Brandon]

Hey roger
Sadly I don't do the NEC anymore, too far to travel, anyway I couldn't just "bring it along" as there's a mountain of paperwork to fill out to get it off island. As for the No4. Well, I'm happy, and I have something to work with, especially shooting it yesterday, at least I know it hits the target
I do Leeds and that's about it. Actually I'm doing Stoneliegh end of Sept, are you going to that one?

[Roger Payne]

Hi John,
Thanks for yours. I just posted something on your 4T thread but hadn't seen your comments re not making the motorcycle museum, so please ignore me! I suppose being on the IoM means that for some legal purposes you are 'abroad'?? I'd forgotten where you were based.

Unfortunately I shall be over on the battlefields again from next Tuesday till 1st October (grown up sons will be home but you won't get any sense out of them!) so won't be able to get to Stoneleigh, which is a shame as it's just up the road from me. I've been roped into helping on a battlefield project for a few days & will also grab a day or two field walking, so don't anybody feel sorry for me! I shall be as happy as a pig in poop.

I did mention some additional photo's of your 4T in the other thread - if you are able to do them, it might take us a little nearer to deciding the originality of the rifle. (That's if you want to....I guess if it shoots ok & you don't mind, then it doesn't matter).

ATB