Savage No. 4 Mk I (T)

[Tom Jackson]

I recently acquired a Savage No. 4 MK1 (T) Serial No. OC3695 with 1941 dated No. 32 MK. I scope No. 7615 with sunshade. The scope serial number is stamped on the stock wrist and the scope mount is marked: OC3695. The underside of the stock has the S51 Holland & Holland conversion marking. The forearm and bolt are stamped with the rifle serial number. The rifle is complete with a scope can with the rifle serial number and scope number on the inside. The left side of the receiver flat does not have the "T" marking following the Savage marking nor is there a "TR" mark on the butt socket. The receiver has the bolt head release located behind the charger bridge and the bolt has the rounded rimmed cocking piece. The bolt release and cocking piece mean the rifle is a MK I rather that MKI* correct? All of the rifle components appear to have Savage markings. The rifle appears to have a four groove barrel. A friend owned this rifle for many years - there is not much information available on scoped Savage No.4 MK I (T) rifles. I understand they are scarce. Does anyone have any information concerning markings, number of rifles converted or survival rate?

Information

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[Seaspriter]

Savage No. 4 MK1 (T) Serial No. OC3695 with 1941 dated

Nice find Tom. These are pretty scarce.
Regarding serial numbers, there is a data base that's been shared on Milsurps. Right now, according to the numbers I've seen, 0C2804/1941 MKI highest # 1941 date, and 0C3870/1942 MKI lowest # 1942 date, so yours is probably very late 1941.
The conversion from Mk1 to Mk1* occurred about serial number 13C2845 - 1942 MKI* lowest MKI* # 1942 date
So your serial number appears to be correct for the model.
Others will chime in on the scope and H&H conversion.
Be sure you get all the info you can from your friend, document it, roll it up and put the provenance in the buttstock hole for posterity.
Good work

[Brian Dick]

Look at the barrel again. I think you'll find it's a six groove, not four. That's only if it retains it's original Savage barrel. It may have a five groove British replacement. I've seen a few of the H&H converted Savage Mk.1* rifles that had British five groove barrels. I'd guess they were originally supplied with two groove barrels which were changed at H&H during the conversion process. You won't find the "TR" on the left side of the butt socket because that marking was specific to rifles selected at BSA for above average accuracy.

[Lee Enfield]

Look at the barrel again. I think you'll find it's a six groove, not four. That's only if it retains it's original Savage barrel. It may have a five groove British replacement. I've seen a few of the H&H converted Savage Mk.1* rifles that had British five groove barrels. I'd guess they were originally supplied with two groove barrels which were changed at H&H during the conversion process. You won't find the "TR" on the left side of the butt socket because that marking was specific to rifles selected at BSA for above average accuracy.

I have a sporterized No4 rifle 4 groove Savage "bomb" marked barrel so there is some potential for them to be out there...

My Savage MkI T has a 1945 dated British 5 groove barrel
My 1942 Savage MkI*T has it's original Savage 2 groove barrel

[Roger Payne]

And indeed you won't find the receiver side wall 'T' & butt socket 'TR' on most early rifle conversions, regardless of the originating factory. The H&H marking system evolved over time & by mid to late 1943 the various stamps were fairly consistently applied, but not so before then. Photo's would be nice, but your rifle sounds like a very genuine early example that has been kept together with all of its correct bits & pieces. I would echo Brian's sentiments on the barrel. I have 0C3XX which still retains its six groove tube.

[Tom Jackson]

Thanks to all for the insights. The barrel is a six groove - when I posted the inquiry I was thinking in M1903/M1903A3 terms (4-groove or 2-groove) and didn't actually count. After I sent the post I realized my mistake. I was very pleased to get the opportunity to buy this rifle - my friend owned it for years. It is the only original scoped Savage T I have ever actually handled. The rifle is in excellent condition with 95%+ original finish on the metal (rifle and scope) very-fine to excellent stock, excellent optics with decent transit case and scope can. I have collected British/Commonwealth snipers off and on over the years and currently have a 90L Long Branch, a L42A1, No.1 MKIII* HTs w/high and low mounts and a P14 MK I* W (T). I have not looked hard at British snipers for a few years because I felt I would probably never find a Savage T. When I was collecting British snipers ten years or so ago they seemed under valued relative to the numbers manufactured and historical significance. That seems to have changed in recent years.

[superbee]

I would love to see pics of this rifle.

[Tom Jackson]

Pictures of my Savage (T).

[SpikeDD]

Very nice looking set! Thanks for sharing.

[Peter Laidler]

Technical Stores Sub Depot at Weedon. That was the old term for what we now call ' Ordnance Loan Stores' or TMP, 'Training Materials Park' type equipment. Next question?