No.4mk1 T restoration advise

[semperfaux]

Finaly found one for a decent price, but it has been sporterized.

It is my intention to use this rifle in Vintage Sniper Matches (Western Games). Any advice/opinions on how to proceed with restoration would be greatly appreciated.

Information

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[CincyM1]

I'm currently bringing a no. 1 mkiii back from the dead, and it's costing me plenty. (Having fun though.) I think you're in the same boat. I know very little about these rifles, but I do shoot CMP matches.
It looks to me that the barrel has been shortened. I think that if you want to be competitive in the sniper match, you probably need a new barrel anyway. Criterion makes new ones. Obviously, you need to replace all of the wood. Reproduction scopes are available.
I think you will spend a lot more money making that rifle suitable for the sniper match than you would buying a complete No.4 rifle and modifying that. On the other hand, you have a rifle in good shape with no historical value. Seems like a better candidate to build a fake sniper rifle out of than something that may be more or less correct.
Like I said before, I'm fixing a "sporterized " rifle, but I want to shoot it in vintage military matches. It's costing me plenty, but I want something to shoot and not collect. I'd rather do that than shoot a collectable rifle. Just my opinion.

[browningautorifle]

how to proceed with restoration

Seems you need about everything. Brian Dick at BDL Ltd has done bags of these, maybe ship it to him and stand back. Find him here... ( https://www.milsurps.com/member.php?u=2818 )

You still have to find the optic and mount...he'll do the rest I think.

[semperfaux]

Been in touch with Brian already. He says he can do it, but only with a used original barrel. Can't seem to find one and I haven't the heart to break a complete rifle just for the barrel. He did put me in-touch with a gentleman that is capable of installing the new Criterion barrel and I am waiting for his response.

Thank you for your interest

[browningautorifle]

but only with a used original barrel

Have you posted a WTB here yet? These guys have everything in their pockets...

[Roger Payne]

Yes, I'm sure there are people on here who will be able to help with your quest. From what we can see in the photo's it looks a peach of a receiver, with nice clean unbruised pads. Of course we can't drop wear gauges across photo's, but from what we can see it looks nice. I'm struggling to make out the markings but suspect it's a BSA 1943?? I love finding sporters & target rifle conversions like that & restoring them. They're never going to be quite as desirable as a totally 'pristine' piece, but then you feel a lot less troubled about taking it out for a blast. And it will still be a desirable rifle.

[browningautorifle]

They're never going to be quite as desirable as a totally 'pristine' piece, but then you feel a lot less troubled about taking it out for a blast.

For me it's perfect, I could never afford a minter and this would surely look like one while allowing use without weeping when you shoot it.

[Roger Payne]

Agreed. One of my most precious rifles is a total bitzer, but an original bitzer all the same. It's a 1916 Enfield Mk3* SMLE with H&H mounts & Aldis scope. The parts to rebuild it came from the four corners of the globe (the rifle body I found in Fultons' junk box in about 1992!) & it took me over twenty years to get all of the correct parts to rebuild it. It's a total hotch-potch, but I'd sell many a 'prettier' rifle before I sold this one.

[browningautorifle]

Fultons' junk box

We should be so lucky as to go through their "Junk"...

[Surpmil]

Has the barrel been shortened? Quite a fancy looking foresight on there, and the fact that the pads are still present might mean the scope is not far away. Try tracking it back through the previous owners.