If The SMLE that I restored first gave me the bug, this just tipped me over!
I can’t remember exactly how this project got started, but I remember emailing a fellow collector and asking if he had any really interesting bits worth doing up. You know, any good projects that I might be able to learn a thing or two from.
Well after a few emails I was the proud owner of an action!
No4 Mk 1/2 Bare Action
I then contacted a mate in nelson and inquired about any stocks that he might have that would fit the No4 Mk1/2 action, thankfully he found just the set.
The difference as you can see in the picture above is that the No4 when upgraded in 1947 was that the trigger was mounted on the receiver. As such the band / strap at the rear of the bottom woods was omitted and a transverse screw was used to hold the bottom woods.
Tidied up
The receiver was tidied up and the correct Fazakerley rear sight was added, as would have happened during the conversion from the No4Mk1 to the No4Mk1/2. The receiver was phosphated by Bruce Adams and the work that he did was just wonderful. The charger guide had been taped for a scope mount but Bruce’s work managed to tidy that up.
At a later stage I intend to get these holes filled, but for now am very happy with the overall condition. The area in which the receiver and the draws sits was a tight fit, but thankfully the barrel sat nicely within the barrel channel itself and had a good amount of upward pressure.
Interesting Markings
To this day im not 100% sure exactly what the 6 inside a circle inside a square means, but the mag, bolt and action all matched. If you do know please email me and let me know!!!!!
I had a spare two grove barrel that was in very good condition. Whilst I would have liked a 5 grover I was unable to find one suitable. So the two grove barrel was fitted by Robbie Tiffen from Gunworks, and soon the whole rifle began to take shape. Robbie did a fantastic job on the rifle too.
In fact it didn’t take long to start looking very spectacular, and whilst the photos show the butt and top forwood a slight variation in colour, its more so the photo more than anything else. It’s a very nice looking rifle.
Good looking Blond!
