Omark Model 44 Sniper Rifle

[Promo]

I stripped that red paint from the stock and took better pictures. Find them attached. And yes, of course I preserved the sticker that was attached to the stock.


The bolt matches the serial of the rifle (with full letter prefix on the underside of the handle), the stock on the inside is also serialized to match the action (without letters). Note there is no provision for a front sight on the barrel. Also the holes on the receiver for the rear sight are covered by wood - it never had open sights on it. Edit: forgot to mention, the middle swivel is Parker Hale stamped with a part number on it additionally.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[desperatedan]

Georg

If you've not seen it already here's a link to the AWM citation in that Wiki article quoted above (it's original link is dead). There are a couple of pictures which might be of interest. The rear PH target sight looks like it fixes above that rear scope mount and uses the top screw hole in the receiver. Interesting to see how a foresight is mounted too.

I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out they used a ZF69 scope for that trial. Same as the PH M82.

Omark (Sportco) M44 Target Rifle | Australian War Memorial -

[Promo]

After some trying I finally figured that (at least in my Browser) I need to click the image and drag it to the left to see the second picture. Interesting, this would then mean the same rear sight would work on my rifle, despite my rifle does not have the stock cut lower to clear the two holes in front of the bolt release, as done to the AWM rifle. Mine does not have a compartment to the pistol grip. Based on these pictures I cannot make out how the front sight was mounted to this rifle.


Speaking today on a phone with a friend of mine and knowing (based on a GB thread) the serial of my rifle dates it to 1986 I said to him maybe the original scope on it was actually a Kahles ZF69 (but then thought the bases might be a bit too high for this). Now you make me want to try and find out if Parker-Hale rings would actually fit these bases. Only where to get them ..

[desperatedan]

Georg, to try a 26mm tube diameter Kahles ZF69 you'll need either PH RALS4 or RAHS4 scope rings.The 'L' means low and 'H' means high. I think you would be best to try the low rings with those scope mounts. I may have a spare set of RALS4 somewhere if you've got access to a Kahles scope?

[tiriaq]

Front sight base was a band.
I believe I have one of the adapters that was attached to the receiver enabling a rear sight to be mounted. I'll check.

[martins8589]

Lithy could shed some light on this.......

[Promo]

I had not found that thread earlier, thanks for posting the link to it. What was very interesting was post #11:

I have photographic proof that they where issued to VDC units in Victoria, maybe some infantry units in New guinea and definitely the RAAF in Malaya.

Too bad this member is gone and especially that all old pictures are gone. Since you participated in this thread earlier, do you remember if there were any pictures of a rifle with scope being posted? Or how to reach out to this user (out of the forum)?

[Lithy]

Have a browse through this thread.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=34856

Sorry for being brief but time is short.

If you have any direct questions, please ask but I won't have time until the weekend to give detailed answers.

[Promo]

Thank you. I have the following direct questions:
- Do you have any additional information on Malaysian used Omark Model 44 sniper rifles? And/or possibly the pictures user "trooper554877" had suggested that exist of these

- Do you recognize the scope bases on my rifle, meaning now by who made and used with which rings/scopes?

[Lithy]

I will start my reply by stating the Omark was never an officially adopted rifle within the Australian Defence Force. They were used by service personnel in fullbore competitions and briefly considered as a locally sourced replacement for the No1 Mk3 HT.

The threads from ten years ago were prompted by a couple of fellows looking to have them included in a list of approved service arms for service rifle competitions here in Oz. Their enthusiasm to reach their goal led to a few exaggerated claims.

With regard to your rifle, the two triangular sling swivels and lack of safety on your rifle indicate to me it is an ex fullbore rifle. The foresight would have been clamped to the barrel and a Central rear sight would have been attached to a sight plate screwed onto the LH rear side of the action.

Butterworth Air Base in Malaysia was "owned" by the RAAF from around 1957 until 1989 when it was handed to the RMAF. The Oz Army has had a Rifle Company stationed at Butterworth since 1970. At it's peak in the early '70s Butterworth was "home" to around 5000 Australian service personnel and their families. With so many Aussies stationed there, it is more than likely there were fullbore rifle competitions carried out on weekends. Such recreational pursuits were actively encouraged in those days.

Sniping was a lost art in the Oz Army until the mid to late '70s. Aside from outdated HTs in stores, there were no sniper rifles in the system and no sniper training carried out.

Now, firmly attaching my speculation hat on, the OC of the defence Coy. might have thought there was a need for a designated marksman's rifle or three and had your rifle modified by attaching the mounts and a scope to fulfil the role.

To my eye, the mounts on your rifle look to be European. Maybe someone else here will recognise them and suggest the correct scope.

In summary, despite what's written on the tag, it's not a sniper rifle.