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At the tail end of WW2 OA had quite a substantial workforce that would have to be re employed in other industries once wartime small arms production ceased.
Following representations from various parties, it was decided that rather than flood the employment market, the release of employees would be done gradually.
To keep the retained staff occupied, an unofficial FTR program was implemented bringing rifles that were formerly deemed not financially viable for repair up to a serviceable standard using whatever parts were available. As the program was unofficial, in addition to reducing costs, standards were lowered so that many parts that would have been replaced during a proper FTR were re used.
When Bogan Gate was emptied out in the late '80s many of these rifles came onto the market and whilst a dedicated collector would turn their nose up at them as most didn't conform to the norm, they were perfectly good rifles.
If you come across a tidy example with staked screws, a late wartime OA barrel, a scraped English butt and top wood, a late wartime SLAZ fore end and a mix of new and old smaller parts such as sights, trigger guard, cocking piece etc. don't write it off as a backyard put together. It could well be one of the OA refurbished rifles.
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The Following 5 Members Say Thank You to Lithy For This Useful Post:
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07-13-2023 12:24 AM
# ADS
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Thank You to mattyboy82 For This Useful Post:
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Great info from all, thank you!
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