It is very welcome news to learn that Rifle # 247 is not a molested example of one of 2001 sniper rifles made FOR Australia after all, but rather a mostly original, (hopefully), example of one of approximately 300 sniper rifles made BY Australia! I feel much better now.
For what I know the total WWI production was 2001. You mention 2001 made for Australia. Do you mean that all of the WWI production was made for Australia, or were there additional 2001 made for Australia?
Also regarding the second part, is there any source to the approximately 300 that were made by Australia? How can these be identified, in which regard are they different from "the others"?
Judging from the questions you have asked regarding my last post, apparently you have not viewed the Ian Skennerton video entitled, "Lithgow's first production .303 Sniper Rifle", which Skwan so kindly posted. A quick viewing of Ian's video will show that around 300 Pattern 1914 Mk l* (F) rifles, (the fine-adjustment rear sight model), were converted post-WWl into .303 No. 3 Mk l* (T) rifles for competition and sniper training, as well as their distinctive markings.
No, I had not watched that video. But after watching it I still do not get it why you say 2001 for Australia whereas this was even said in the video to be the overall production?
What Ian doesn't mention in this video, the British WWI sniper rifles had the serial number STAMPED to the rear sight base whereas the Irish ones had the serial number ENGRAVED to the side of the rear sight base. Also the Irish ones had the serial number with W prefix whereas the British WWI ones had the serial number only (he in fact said that wrongly in this video - the proof to that is available in our knowledge base here: No.3 MkI* (T) Rifle (PP Scope) ). Hence it could well had been the Australians "just prefixed" the WWI British sniper rifles with their inventory numbers and adding the ownership stamp from this period - would make sense to put their stamps on the guns, so that in war they clearly can claim what is theirs. Maybe that was also connected with an overaul, IDK. Maybe I missed it, but didn't see any evidence for any other manufacturer being used other than Winchester, just them mentioning that "such rifles turned up".
PS: just at this point, another big telltale for the Irish contract BSA P.14 snipers is the shape of the front base which is much more square when looking at it from the side, especially at the rear end, when comparing it to the WWI bases. Also the Irish rifles all have a dull surface and a blueing which looks dip blued whereas the WWI rifles have a polished surface with blue color blueing.
Edit: stop the YouTube Video at 03:09 and compare the font of the prefix versus the font of the rifle serial. The "2" of the prefix is a different font than the two "2's" of the serial following. I think this would clearly indicate the prefix was stamped at a later point and not at the same time.
But after watching it I still do not get it why you say 2001 for Australia whereas this was even said in the video to be the overall production?
Promo,
Mea culpa! This faux pas of mine is an embarrassing example of the type of problems one can expect with the advent of age-induced brain-fade and CRS. My mind apparently jumped a cog when I erroneously made that statement, oddly attributing that original production figure to a contract for Australia instead. My apologies for the confusion.
Thankfully, I have a relatively decent reference library which retains those facts my old grey matter can't!
I was not asking to point out an error, I was curious whether there was something I do not know upon. Thanks for the clarification. Aside of that, looking forward to see your rifle in full glory when you get to restore it. Keep us posted.
Aside of that, looking forward to see your rifle in full glory when you get to restore it.
Thanks Promo, but I think you may have me confused with Skwan, the original poster.
My example is no longer matching, as per my first post, but it is complete, thanks to a fine-adjustment rear sight from Brian D. and a set of leather scope covers made by Peter L., also courtesy of Brian.
I seen this scope for sale at Lawrance Ordnance that had been sold. Still on the hunt for a scope, will keep you posted when I find one, like some other items I have been after it may come right away or in 15 years.
Originally Posted by Terry Hawker
It is very welcome news to learn that Rifle # 247 is not a molested example of one of 2001 sniper rifles made FOR Australiaafter all, but rather a mostly original, (hopefully), example of one of approximately 300 sniper rifles made BY Australia! I feel much better now.
PM
.