Just purchased a NO4 MK1 303 all original , looking for info

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Bigred1986

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hello , I just purchased a no4 mk1 303 all original from an older man who has had the gun since the 1960's . he claimed it was passed down to him and that ot was used in ww2 . He used as a moose hunting rifle . serial numbers on gun and bolt match , mag does not , strap is the same one that was on the gun used at war . Action is smooth , bore is in what appears to be good condition riffling is strong , gun but stock has a small crack and appears to have a hole fixed in it which the previous owner said was a repair done before he got the rifle . I am curious of the ago of this gun as its not marked on it anywhere , Its marked US PROPERTY , as I understand it was made by savage on a lease / lend program for the british . is also had the square with a stamped s in the middle of it . I would like to know the year of this gun and value . I have had a lee enfield 303 in the past that had the yr stamped on the side of it .









 
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your sling is on backwards, the ends of the hooks should be on the outside of the sling so they dont gouge up the stock

the year should be stamped on the butt socket under the serial number, opposite side from the bolt handle
 
Only early Savages were dated. Date of mfr can be estimated from the serial number.
The brass disk in the butt is odd on a No. 4.
 
Only 1941 and 1942 Savages were dated. Most are not. You can estimate year of production from the serial number.
The rear sight is a replacement. Is the buttplate brass?
 
i have a 1943 dated savage, date is a square font, like the No4 MkI* opposite side from bolt handle. the savage S is also on the socket, not before the No4 as shown here
 
whats the serial number? or if you want join the lee enfield collectors group on facebook and put it up there. they can tell you the date or at least close to it. all parts look original and correct from what i can see.
 
If you want to compare your Savage Enfield against an "all correct" 43 Savage as originally issued one, go to the United Kingdon - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=120-united-kingdom and view the 82 picture photo gallery montage for the 1943 Savage No.4 Mk1* Enfield Rifle (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?p=1312.

With thanks to Advisory Panel member Lance, there's also a rare "all correct" 1942 No.4 Mk1*(T) Savage Sniper Rifle (less scope) (click here) .....http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=3537

Lance's article, accompanied by a detailed 165 pic photo montage, speaks to this example as being one of approximately 3,400 Savage rifles converted by Holland and Holland and re-barreled with an Enfield 5 groove barrel, however, it was never fitted with a matching No.32 scope.

Hope this helps... :)

Regards,
Doug
 
:cool: Oh my! That is a nice rifle! Whether it actually saw "action" or not, likely only the rifle knows for sure. It appears to be original. It is a treasure to left untouched. :)
 
to my knowledge the stock has not been replaced it has the same markings on it as elsewhere on the gun a stamped S , As for the brass butt plate it looks factory to me it fits perfect and has the period correct flat head screws holding it in place .
 
No. 4 rifles did not have the brass butt discs. Either that is a Mk. III butt, or someone added the disc.
Savage did not use brass buttplates.
The Mk.I rear sight is a replacement.
Your rifle has been rebuilt somewhere, sometime.
 
tiriaq said:
No. 4 rifles did not have the brass butt discs. Either that is a Mk. III butt, or someone added the disc.
Savage did not use brass buttplates.
The Mk.I rear sight is a replacement.
Your rifle has been rebuilt somewhere, sometime.
Click to expand...

I have a micrometer rear site on one of my US Savage No 4's. It is very clearly marked S on the site.
 
it is very possible that the butt plate was replaced I have no idea I am just stating it looks factory too me , as for the site its defiantly not a replacement . it fits perfect and folds in place perfectly . I will add a few more pics .
 
Bigred1986 said:
it is very possible that the butt plate was replaced I have no idea I am just stating it looks factory too me , as for the site its defiantly not a replacement . it fits perfect and folds in place perfectly . I will add a few more pics .
Click to expand...

It may be a replacement, the sites all mount the same way. However there is correct sites for year and make etc. There were micrometer sights out to 1300 meters (not yards I believe) and there were flip peep sites that were 300/600 (if I remember correctly).
 
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