No.4Mk1* LB sling swivel on trigger guard??

[Bob7.62]

I just bought a 1943 No4Mk1* Long Branch and it has this sling swivel on the front trigger guard bolt is this original?
It is wider on one side than it is on the other. Also the rear hand guard is ribbed is this original? The reason I was wondering is that the butt stock is wallnut and the forearm and hand guards are beech and have been stained to try and match the butt. I am going to try and get wallnut stock parts to match didn't know if I sould try to get a ribbed rear hand guard.

 

[tiriaq]

The centre swivel was installed on target and sniper rifles. It was used with a "two point" sling. Most were made by Parker Hale. I would suggest that if you are going to shoot the rifle, that you learn to use the two point sling, it is a real help.
A grooved handguard could be original. Could also be a replacement. It is not unusual to see rifles with both walnut and other hardwood stocks. If the wood is actually beech, it may not be LB; birch was more commonly used. There should be markings which will indicate the origins of the stocks. The rifle I was issued many years ago was two tone.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it, or change things just for the sake of changing them.
With the centre swivel, the rifle may have been set up as a target rifle. You could examine it carefully for hand bedding, etc. If a rifle was set up for target shooting, it is not at all unusual for parts to be swapped and selected for shooting performance.

 

[granite]

delete

del

 

[Bob7.62]

Her are some pics

The butt stock: has marks frist LB with a line under it and a 34 below that a C with three converging lines below that a oval with a 2 and a C with maybe a A inside

The rear hand guard: no marks looks like wallnut and it has groves

front hand guard: no marks looks like maybe oak

forearm: C with A inside looks maybe like mahagony stained redish brown

here they are after I stripped all with circa 1850 eccept butt stock

 

[John Sukey]

Three converging lines ie: "A Broad Arrow" that mark has been around longer than George III !

 

[woodchopper]

looking at it you may find it easier to get buttstock that matches your forearm

the C with an A inside the forearm is a canadian mark "Canadian Arsenals"