No.5 Mk1 added to my collection

[tgoldie00]

This one really has the “been there done that” look going for it. I did a little trading to make this one happen. I’m probably a wee bit too deep into it but it’s what I wanted - WWII era, not a No.4 conversion, shooter BUT looks like it’s been used for its original intended purpose (though its now happily in retirement).

It’s a Faz, 4/45 production mark.

I cleaned it up and put 20 rounds through it yesterday. There was some rust in places only armorers typically go (under the wood line, in the trigger mechanisms, bottom of the receiver). There was also some cosmoline still present in places. This one would on the surface appear to have been in some humid places. Exposed metal has worn finish but the metal is otherwise in great condition. The bore is bright and rifling sharp. Carried all over the place as this one might have been, it appears it wasn’t shot very much.

One of the sight guards is a bit banged up but the sights are still at relative zero and didn’t require adjustment. The fore-grip did have a couple of hairline cracks in non-load bearing areas (at the nose). I degreased the wood and closed those up with a little bit of Hot Stuff CA glue. I don’t anticipate they will reappear. The Butt Stock was a tiny bit loose (knew this before the trade). I shimmed that up immediately upon arrival so that is resolved.

Lastly the magazine as pictured is not original. It came with a No.1 magazine (of course incorrect) that was not modified to fit the action. Someone obviously jammed something in there at some point to make it look “complete.” It had some evidence of having been paired with the rifle for some time but it didn’t feed rounds. I had a spare No.1 modified for No.4 from a previous project, so I used that to test the rifle. I’ll procure a No.4 magazine to make it “correct” at some point but it’s not an emergency. This rifle is staying with me for a while!

A few pics:










---------- Post added at 09:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:06 AM ----------

A few more:

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Looks good, like you say a veteran that appears to have done Malaya or some such as it has green paint on the metal under the wood. The grease may be the remnants of what was liberally applied also for humid climate under the wood.

[tgoldie00]

Looks good, like you say a veteran that appears to have done Malaya or some such as it has green paint on the metal under the wood. The grease may be the remnants of what was liberally applied also for humid climate under the wood.

Precisely my thoughts - fits the known history and overall condition. It hasn’t been stuck on a rack for all of its life that’s for sure.

It also has a less commonly seen stamped rear sight (technically a downgrade, though rare) - most likely a replacement - although there have been a few debates as to if these made it on to production rifles in the 44/45 timeframe.

[browningautorifle]

It also has a less commonly seen stamped rear sight

That struck me as being the only one I've ever seen...could you take another pic for posterity with the elevator down so we can see the "800"? Add it to the others? Only one I've seen.

[tgoldie00]

Not the best pic - it’s locked in the rack but thought I’d get this up for you. If you want something different I’ll get to it in a bit after a meeting. Cheers!

[browningautorifle]

Like I say, first one I remember seeing. And a 37 Ithaca beside it.

[tgoldie00]

Like I say, first one I remember seeing. And a 37 Ithaca beside it.

Indeed! It’s a retired guard shotgun from the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola - complete with a trench gun heat shield poorly fitted (by the prison armorer I presume). I have the provenance on it from Louisiana. Fun shooter as well - especially slam fire!

[browningautorifle]

a retired guard shotgun from the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola

Maybe you could do a photo thread on that one in Military Shotguns...I know there's a few fans of those, specially the scarce Ithaca trench. I've sure had my share of Ithaca as you may have guessed. A past favorite of mine.

[tgoldie00]

Maybe you could do a photo thread on that one in Military Shotguns...I know there's a few fans of those, specially the scarce Ithaca trench. I've sure had my share of Ithaca as you may have guessed. A past favorite of mine.

I was going to say - there wasn’t a lot of shotgun there for you to pick up on that with in the pic!

I’ll throw some up when I have a bit of free time.

[browningautorifle]

there wasn’t a lot of shotgun there

Position of the three screws seen there and the serial number position. And, I've had a few...