Can someone tell me just what the heck is going on here?!!
I recently purchased a package deal of 2 No4 sporterised rifles with full length barrels.
One is a savage no4mk1* with 2 groove barrel that had the bayonet lugs removed, barrel polished and blued and weaver TO-1 mount installed. It’s a shame because everything on the rifle is correct, all savage parts and magazine.
The other is the head scratcher. It is a British made No4mk1 (not mk1*) with intact full length 5 groove barrel. It has certainly seen an FTR at some point. There is a faint British serial number on the wrist and a pronounced Savage serial stamped over top of it.
There is a broad arrow and 1942 stamped just below the safety.
Oh and there is a bizarre star stamped on the top of the Knox.
What’s with the savage serial number??
Any info on what I’m looking at is greatly appreciated!
Oh and there is a bizarre star stamped on the top of the Knox.
That is generally stamped by an Armourer to show rust in the barrel.
Rifle still usable but is to let the Sergeant know that the soldier will not be able to get a nice clean, shiney barrel.
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
Usually put on the Nock's Form wasn't it, rather than the receiver ring? Would make more sense as a barrel could always be replaced. Looks like the armourer(?) had no asterisk stamp and just used a straight edged chisel(?) He probably chose that spot realizing that the curve of that part of the receiver would limit the length of the lines creating the right effect. Except of course a strike in parallel with the bolt/barrel.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Usually put on the Nock's Form wasn't it, rather than the receiver ring?
I have examples of two different instructions, one says "on top of the breech and indicated rust found in bore" whilst the other says (item 18) ..................
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
I'm sure I've seen the asterisk marked both on the top of the receiver ring & on the Knock's form, over the years.
The rifle appears to be a BSA 1942 example, retaining its original barrel (in all likelihood). The butt socket also bears the letters 'AA', which I think may be indicative of ownership by an Indian or another Southern Asian state. The overstamped Savage serial number has clearly been there a long time & I wonder if, for whatever reason, it was transposed during this period of the rifle's military service???
I can only see two serials: the original BSA 1941/42 era serial (faintly engraved) & the 53C Savage replacement marks, (deeply stamped). I can't quite make out the letter prefix to the original serial; maybe an 'L', 'H', or 'N'?? The four digit number is rather clearer & looks like 6053 to me.
Why the number was altered I've no idea, but I've come across it periodically.
made No4mk1 (not mk1*) with intact full length 5 groove barrel. It has certainly seen an FTR at some point. There is a faint British serial number on the wrist and a pronounced Savage serial stamped over top of it.
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Originally Posted by jonh172
