To Sniper Clone a No4 mk1 or not?

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Selair_Chapman

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Looking for thoughts. Been my dream for a long time to own a No4 Mk1 sniper rifle but like most people there is no way I could jutify the $7000+ to grab an authentic one. I do have a non drilled original 1942 full wood No4 Mk2 that I'm contemplating turning into a clone. I have a line on an original No32 scope for appx $1000 and could get a repro base mount and cheek rest that I could stain to match the wood of the stock. I am not looking to sell once done so it would just be for me myself and I. Questions:
1. Should I even consider drilling an untouched No4? As well as mounting a cheek rest?
2. If I do, are there any smith's anyone would recommend for the job? I hear it's a real pain for these scopes. I'm happy to ship it out.

Thanks y'all!
 
I agree, your rifle. And much as you state, it's the only way most of us will ever have an example of a 4t. If you order the base from e-sarco, you can get the appropriate drills and taps with it. Also available with a repro scope that is quite good.

The base pads are not difficult to mount, I've done 2 rifles, and other than taking some time, they are quite easy. But the average gunsmith won't want to tackle it because it isn't something they can just attach their jig, drill and tap in a standard pitch thread and be done.

Feel free to pm me if you want.
 
Thanks guys. Think I'll give it a go.
Looks like esarco is out of stock on both the base with bits and repro scope. Anywhere else these can be obtained (that ship to Canada)?
Cheers!
 
Selair_Chapman said:
Thanks guys. Think I'll give it a go.
Looks like esarco is out of stock on both the base with bits and repro scope. Anywhere else these can be obtained (that ship to Canada)?
Cheers!
Click to expand...


I just did my No4Mk1/2 exactly what you were saying. My local shop did it for me and used a reproduction scope. It's a beautiful rifle and looks great, I'm sure he can do it again for you if you wanted to ship your rifle to them or they could probably get you the scope.
 
Shooting an original scope is taking your money and holding it close to the campfire. It might not burn, but if you leave it there long enough, something will happen. The old scopes were made to a high standard, but the resins, coatings and glues that hold the lenses and interior parts together are fragile. Eighty-odd years hasn't been generous to many of these scopes. (Don't forget armies don't sell off perfect equipment; they're getting rid of it for a reason.) If you can, get a repro base and scope for your repro rifle.

To echo the others, it is your rifle and you'll do what you want. They're not making them anymore, so if you drill and tap an original rifle that is capable of shooting 2" Minutes, you'll potentially be removing one from a diminishing quantity. I threw out the accuracy specification because the No. 4T acceptance test wasn't especially tight by today's standards. But in WW2 it had to work reliably and have all its parts well within tolerance.
 
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