No.4 Mk.1 differences

M

MattE93

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
46   0   0
I had a couple questions regarding some of the variations on the No.4 Mk.1.

Did any British rifles leave the factory with 2-groove barrels? If so does anyone know when each factory switched from 5 to 2 groove?

Is it correct for British rifles to have the grey alloy type butt plate? Most of the ones I have seen seem to have the brass butt plates.
 
Yes, British rifles were fitted with 2 groove barrels during the war.

As to when? 1941 thru 1944/45.

As an example, Long Branch manufactured 5 groove barrels every year of production - while also fitting 2 groove barrels 41,42,43,44...and it is very possible to find one dated 1945...

British rifles were also originally fitted with alloy butt plates.

The main reason that they are not often seen is that from 1946 thru about 1955 nearly every no4 rifle in British inventory was rebuilt during FTR and the "war emergency" changes were replaced with "standard" parts.
 
Thank you for the detailed response.

I should clarify my question. I as aware that some No.4 have two groove barrels, and that savage and Longbranch both produced them in large quantities. I was curious if any of the British factories, Shirley, Maltby, or Fazakerley used two groove barrels at any point.
 
MattE93 said:
Thank you for the detailed response.

I should clarify my question. I as aware that some No.4 have two groove barrels, and that savage and Longbranch both produced them in large quantities. I was curious if any of the British factories, Shirley, Maltby, or Fazakerley used two groove barrels at any point.
Click to expand...

Yes, i have had Faz and Maltby rifles with original 2 groove barrels. Off the top of my head, i don't remember a BSA.

In theory British No 4 rifles were manufactured with:
2, 3, 4, 5 groove barrels.

If you ever find a 3 or 4 groove or 2 piece mk3 (war time mfg.) barrel i will buy it...

According to the parts list, the mk3 (the knox form is threaded and pinned on) barrel could be 2 or 5 grooves.

BSA used 4 groove barrels on "dispersion" no1 rifles, and were apparently authorized to build 4 groove no4 barrels.

I have a 4 groove Savage barrel (apparently authorized as Savage used 4 groove for French orders) but it has been sporterized.
I have never heard of a 3 groove ever being found.
 
Last edited:
Oh I keep looking for a 3 groove, but I have never seen one.

there is only 1 thing you have missed in your barrel explanation. The existence of 6 groove barrels, both early Savage and late Longbranch.
 
A far as the 2 piece Mk. III barrels go, I suspect the disappeared during post war FTR programs. The fabricated trigger guards aren't common either, along with the no half #### cocking pieces. The wartime expedient bits and pieces were replaced.
 
woodchopper said:
ah yes the no half #### cocking piece, I think I do have one of those in my parts bin.
Click to expand...
I have one on a no4T, it was restocked in the 50s so i would have expected the cocking piece to be changed out...

I removed reference to the 6groove barrels as the OP asked specifically re Brit rifle barrels and butt plates.

Savage 6gr left hand 1941-42.

LB 6gr right hand from 1949-58.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom