Earliest date for Ishapore 2A/2A1?

[55recce]

The stamping of the letters looks all wrong and the wood is far too light and smooth for an Ishy. Not legit as far as I can see from this photo

[Roger Payne]

Just make sure it's not a Khyber Pass special if you're intending to shoot it!

[green]

The 7.62 rifles had the ejector screw placed about .25" ahead of those on the .303" rifle. Check the position of the screw against a .303" arm.

[Alan de Enfield]

Thanks for the responses so far. It seems like people are having the same thoughts that I am. Namely, it's a 7.62 conversion of a no1 MkIII*, or that it's an early experiment, without the later standard stamp. I wasn't looking at it particularly as a collector rifle, more as a shooter in a cheaper calibre, in a really interesting form. I'm tempted to take a chance either way. Then I can look closer at the other stamps.

If it is any help ;

"On the balance of probabilities I wouldn't have it as a gift".

[BurtonP]

The 7.62 rifles had the ejector screw placed about .25" ahead of those on the .303" rifle. Check the position of the screw against a .303" arm.

Ah, that is different. The pics show the ejector screw in the normal 303 place. Thanks.

[BurtonP]

If it is any help ;

"On the balance of probabilities I wouldn't have it as a gift".

Reject for liability reasons rather than value reasons then?

[Alan de Enfield]

Reject for liability reasons rather than value reasons then?

I would not want to pay money based on the value of an 'original' that turned out to be some ones made-up bitsa.
On balance I think it is the latter.

I may be missing a 'once in a life time' very rare rifle, but I am not throwing money at something that doesn't even look 'right'.

Simply my choice, you may differ, and you have every right to do so.

[Roger Payne]

Is there not also a potential safety issue here, particularly if the body is to be submitted to regular use of modern 7.62mm ammunition of heavier than 144gr bullet weights?

[Bindi2]

Is there not also a potential safety issue here, particularly if the body is to be submitted to regular use of modern 7.62mm ammunition of heavier than 144gr bullet weights?

This is a very real problem with No4 7.62 x 51 conversions. People think 308 but not bullet weight. Some just don't get the proof factor or the design limitations of the original use.

[BurtonP]

This is my main concern.