The story does have a happy ending. Sorta.........
I was the lucky recipient of the barreled action. I was interested mainly in the barrel, which was of carbine form.
The barrel and receiver had been tackled by Bubba who had attempted to remove the barrel. The underside of the barrel had a second honking big flat ground into the barrel reinforce, no doubt so it could be held in a bench vice more securely. Bubba was unable to unscrew it and appears to have given up before he chomped into the metal too much with the pipe wrench. The receiver ring has a few cuts and gouges, which is a real pity as the ring is C broad arrow marked. The barrel too was a crying shame. A LMC carbine barrel circa 1894-96, that had been bushed for use on an RIC conversion.
I spun the barrel off in two seconds using the correct barrel vise and receiver wrench.
I had a 1900 carbine receiver in the parts bin that was heavily pitted below the wood line. I looked in the bins and found a bolt body, a mag and trigger guard, and, and....
The assembled action went into a sportered carbine woodset that had been sanded to death. I checked the headspace and thought 'why not?'
I had some gallery loads to test out so she was barking in the bush again. The barrel bore is less than poor. Originally Metford rifled, there is not much left that looks like rifling. The thing keyholes at thirty feet.
However............
I just discovered some .22 barrel liners that are 5/16 outside diameter and will slip into the 303 old bore. So yet another project. A Royal Irish Constabulary carbine clone chambered in .22 rimfire. As if I needed another project.............
The Sht.22 Mk.IV* receiver, sits waiting for inspiration. The charger bridge has been removed. The receiver ring is chewed. But the body is not sprung or twisted.
If if anybody can make use, they are welcome to it.
