No. I MkIII*(H) Sporter

[Ridolpho]

I've wanted to add a heavy barrel to the collection but the best I've stumbled onto so-far is this "sporter". Chatted with a collector who suggested it might be a pattern of range gun and best left as is- I suspect pure bubba but thought I'd see what the Australian experts think. I'm inclined to locate a coachwood or maple wood set and fit it. The rifle consists of a "peddle scheme" action body dated 1918. My interp. of the markings is that it was in possession of Australia by the twenties? and re-barreled/ refurbed in '37. The action is nicely parkerized while the barrel is blued. As shown, the barrel has been re-numbered to the body. The bolt is probably a new addition as it has matching assembly numbers (top body and underside bolt) which I doubt was of SSA origin. I'd appreciate comments about the authenticity of this rifle. For example, is it normal to have 5 MA inspectors marks on the left in addition to the 5 Star marks on the right of the barrel reinforce? And which marks originated with the use of the barrel on an earlier rifle? I think this should make a great range gun as the bore is like a mirror, with sharp rifling, and I have a couple of spare Central sight sets kicking around. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Ridolpho (PS. The sunny scene in the full length rifle photo from 5 days ago is history- got about a foot of snow over the last two days. Alberta.......Aargh.)

Information

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[Homer]

Ive got very limited knowledge of H model rifles but this one doesn't look right to me. I'm thinking its been put together to build up a sporter. Barrel number is questionable.

[Ridolpho]

Homer: Thanks for the comment. Stamping the barrel seems to me like an un-bubba-like thing to do considering the forend chop instantly devalues the gun. I have seen a couple of full-wood lashups recently with mismatched barrels. What about the numbers on the barel do you find questionable? (Please keep in mind I know virtually nothing about H barreled guns).

Ridolpho

[Homer]

I can't see it being a genuine 30's conversion with a parked action and blued barrel.
Can you show us the assembly numbers? That sounds very unusual.

[Bindi2]

My take on that rifle is the barrel was removed and blued when the conversion to sporter was done. The P A N is a good Q. Is the bolt a Lithgow one. If so what is the procedure when the H barrel is fitted with a new bolt at Lithgow.

[Homer]

Not to renumber assembly numbers to my knowledge.

[Ridolpho]

Thank's guys. Will post a photo of the assembly numbers tomorrow.

Ridolpho

[Bindi2]

Not to renumber assembly numbers to my knowledge.

Did SSA have P A N or is this only an Aussie thing when fitting a new bolt at Lithgow.

[Ridolpho]

Here is a photo of the "assembly numbers". You can also see a Lithgow star marking on the bolt handle. The font and size of the numbers appears identical on both parts. Note that most small pieces have Australian manufacturer markings (like the bolt head, shown). No apparent import markings that I can see.

Ridolpho

[Ridolpho]

A few additional shots. Cleaned some varnish off barrel shank and on left see what appears to be a British proof mark (poorly applied) in addition to the various Australian marks. It appears that the bluing was done after the British mark but before all the others. Is this an MLE barrel that was later chopped? Also wondering about the MA VII on the receiver ring- is that something that would be placed there with arsenal repairs? At some point pretty nearly all the small parts were replaced by Australian parts and the now chopped, bubba'd coachwood stock set. The parkerizing looks like that on my 1942 (rebuild of 1921) and 1944 Lithgows.
Have done more searching and have seen photos of assumed Lithgow H barrel rifles where the barrel and action body were clearly not refinished together after the re-barreling. The only other observation I can make is that the fitting of this old barrel to my rifle was done very well- tends to make me think armourer! I would appreciate any added comments as if this is not a Lithgow Heavy barrel I will probably not bother searching out proper Lithgow parts during its return to full wood. Thanks.

Ridolpho