Hard to please?

[muffett.2008]

I'm down to one to complete my Lithgow collection...........actually had the missing year in my hands, 1938..........but it just didn't sing to me.

It was an FTR, strangely enough, while I have FTR's in my collection, none of them are part of this Lithgow run.................not that I'm against FTR's, it's just the way it panned out.

The rifle in question had what I'd call questionable points, FTR'd in '53, with a replacement bolt, 40's proofed barrel dated 3/53 in 1mm stamps, serial number on barrel and receiver were in 1/4 stamps, not the normal 1/16th and 3/32 stamps used by the factory.
Where the barrel secondary proofs used to be, there were deep grind marks, same on the receiver.........why remove proof marks? no reproof done, but early barrel proof left intact.
Wood all maple, butt without any stampings....................surprising for an FTR.

Cutoff in place, again would have been removed at FTR, Nosecap also early type, usually post 41 type fitted at FTR, but rear sight dated '43.

I said to myself "this would complete the collection" though my heart wasn't in it, so I offered him 4k, bloody pleased when he said he wanted more.........so I let it go, I can wait.

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[30Three]

If it smell's like a pig and oink's like a pig; it's probably a pig!

I'm sure the one you want is just around the corner Muffet; just wait and see!

[CINDERS]

Muffett grind marks tell the story to you thank goodness you did not get it as it may have turned out to be a sows ear besides who grinds off proof marks!
Buy the rifle not the story I am sure something will turn up for you it always does.

[Homer]

4K!!! Holy crap muffer!

Normal for a 50's FTR to have no butt stamps, but maple stock........not likely. I would suggest a pre 41 nosecap would not be unlikely, Australian or English.

4K would have been way too much mate. No loss.

[browningautorifle]

I let it go, I can wait.

Also glad to hear, sometimes chance plays into the collection by not letting you have something you'd regret after handling it a couple days. The money can be spent correctly another time. Feel good and move on... A classic case of education, if you weren't so well educated in this area you might have fallen in a drowned.