Looking for info - 308 Enfield

Killer Kanuck

Killer Kanuck

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I picked this up this afternoon, well, because the price was right (at least I think, anyway).

No I want to know what it is. It started life as a Savage made No4 Mk1*, that that has been marked out with an electropencil, and "No4 Mk1/3(F) FTR" is now above it. It also has "/53" below (I'm assuming that means the conversion was in 1953?). On the breech ring is "Regulated by Fulton", and the mag is marked "Sterling - 7.62mmConver'n". The rear sight has "Mk III" on 2 places. And as you can see, "Bubba wuz here" - "308" marked on the receiver and mag, and the wood cut down.
What's something like this worth? Anything?

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The rifle is a Savage No. 4 Mk. I* converted to 1/3 (hung trigger) at Fazakerly in 1953. It was subsequently set up by Fulton's of Bisley for target shooting, as a .303. Sometime later, it was rebarrelled to .308. Are there bayonet lugs on the barrel? If you take the handguard off, are there any markings on the barrel breech? Is there a breeching washer between the barrel shoulder and the receiver? Has there been an ejector added to the left sidewall of the receiver?
You do not mention any of the markings that would suggest that the rifle was rebarrelled in 7.62 by Canadian Arsenals.
The Sterling magazine could have been installed at any time.
When No. 4s were converted to 7.62 for target shooting, they were used as single shots, but subsequently .308 magazines were sometimes substituted.
The patching done where the stock crossbolt is just in front of the buttstock might be part of some bedding work.
If the rifle were mine I would replace the forend and related hardware, and restore the rifle to issue configuration.
 
There isn't a bayonet lug, and the breech of the barrel has "397" along with 2 stars, and an "M". I don't see anything that looks like a breeching washer. What would the ejector look like (there is a set screw on the left wall)? In front of the front sight is looks like what might be an "A" in a circle and 7.62.
 
Sterling marketed a conversion kit. Part of the kit was an ejector which was fitted to the left sidewall of the receiver. Your rifle doesn't have the Sterling ejector. Sterling also used a breeching washer.
The absence of CAL marks on the receiver suggests that the rifle is not one of the ones converted by CAL, through the DCRA. I am not positive, but I suspect that the barrel may be from one of the conversions; CAL/DCRA barrels did not have bayonet lugs.
Your rifle had a centre swivel mounted on the receiver screw in front of the magazine at one time.
I am sure that you have the remains of a target rifle that Bubba converted into a deer rifle.
As is, its worth more than a cut .303. I do think that it is worth restoring to its service target rifle configuration.
You would need a Mk. 2 forend, upper handguard, and the band and screw. A new screw with centre swivel should be installed. A PH5C rear sight would be appropriate, there are a number of others that could be installed.
 
Thanks for the info.

I have to admit though, the only reason I picked it up was because it was (relatively) cheap, and I figured it might be able to swap/sell it. With a very good bore, any idea on value as it is now?
 
The barrel is Canadian Arsenals Limited. The bolt is Canadian as well. The barrel has a 3 digit serial. Is this number on the bolt or on the receiver as well?
 
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