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M47 No.4 short barrel?

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Moisy View Drop Down
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    Posted: July 27 2021 at 12:25am
Hi all,
New to the forum here. I'm in Australia and I need some advice. I have an opportunity to purchase a very clean M47 No.4 Mk.1. However, the barrel finishes in line with the front sight assembly, and doesn't protrude out the several inches that I understand a No.4 barrel should. Does anyone have a theory as to why? Any help, and any other info you might glean from the photos, would be much appreciated. 




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MJ11 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MJ11 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 27 2021 at 7:44pm
Someone cut off the bayonet lugs and drilled some holes in the left side of the receiver for a possible scope mount. The original collector value has been deminshed by quit a bit.

What would your intent be for the rifle ? Just a shooter or an investment ?

Shame as it otherwise looks decent but even with a new barrel , not cheap  to do or find,  the holes are another problem.

Good luck with this problem.
The Spartans do not ask how many the enemies are but where they are
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 27 2021 at 8:09pm
Moisy. Welcome from Phoenix Arizona 🤠.
As MJ11 has indicated,  the barrel has been cut back past the bayonet lugs for whatever reasoning the previous owner had in mind for at the time. The other issue is the holes drilled into the reciever. Very possibly for an aftermarket scope mount. In its current condition,  I would step away from it and let someone else deal with it. That is my opinion alone. Everything else on the rifle looks to be in fair condition but, looks can be deceiving...
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Moisy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Moisy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 27 2021 at 11:24pm
Hi MJ11 and Goosic. Thanks very much for your advice. I had pretty much assumed that was the situation, but being a nooby, wanted confirmation. 

MJ11, I am mainly after a shooter - I hunt Sambar deer here in Victoria, Aus, and I mainly use rifles with peep sights - hence wanting a No.4. However, it doesn't hurt to have one with some re-sale value!

Goosic, I think I will step away. It's a shame, because it does look quite clean, particularly the stock.

Another question: Is it easy to re-furbish a stock? 

Thanks again.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SW28fan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 6:55am
he!!o and welcome to the forum

In the some places they call it being Bubba'd, a previous owner wanted it modified for some reason. 
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MJ11 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MJ11 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 7:07am
Than is a real shame. Now it just the sum of the parts and down there the barrel in the regulated item not the receiver so the hoops to get a new barrel is like going through all the trouble to buy another rifle.



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 11:00am
I don't know Australian pricing being in the U.S. but here a "complete" one sells for about US$650.00 in good condition.
A rifle that's been modified to the point it can no longer be practically restored (like yours has) is worth about U.S. $150 in the same condition.
It may be a perfectly good shooter, but its severely devalued.
If you can get it for a suitable price & its still a good shooter, then its worth a shot.
Depending on condition
Many Lee Enfields had "cord worn" bores from improper cleaning & so the muzzle was cropped to get rid of the badly worn part at the muzzle!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 12:02pm
I'm not sure how easy it is to find a good No4Mk1 in Aus'; if the rifles cheap (it needs to be!);
 You could check out the price of a new barrel from T-Bone Smith. He stocks the German made Lothar Walter barrels for the No4 rifles.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MJ11 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 3:33pm
I believe it was Peter Laidler who sleeved a barrel stub under the front sight ears . The stub had about .020" over bore and the shorted barrel was crowned. Not sure if they shot it much or it was a just for display in the UK. Peter is a wizard with turning things and the proof is blending several #32 scope tubes into one working unit. Roger Payne is also pretty good at it too. But just the shipping 3/4 of the way around the world would cost as much as a new barrel.

I would also pass on this job.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Moondog55 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 4:41pm
Drilling and tapping was/ or is quite common here for a particular Aussie made telescope mount.
My own #4 has it done.
PM me the details Moisy as I may be interested. My own #4 is an Envoy and I could use a shortened #4
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Moisy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 5:14pm
Thanks again Men,
I'm seriously impressed at the level of knowledge and enthusiasm of folks on this forum. 
I guess I'll keep looking. What I really want is a No.5 - "jungle carbine" - because it would be perfect for my style of hunting in the thick bush and at short-ish ranges. But they go for drug money here in Oz.
Cheers,
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 8:01pm
if your looking for a no5type for hunting dont overlook the sante fe and other rifle refurbs as they may well serve your purpose better than an original no5 and be more affordable and less likely to incur collector wrath , these are decent rifles that have a niche all their own , they often come ready fit with hunting magazines as well 
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Moisy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Moisy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 8:27pm
MJ11 that is a seriously good looking hunting rifle!

A Square, The Santa Fe stuff is pretty hard to find in Oz. 

The more I think about it, the more I reckon I buy a sound but not necessarily spectacular looking No.4 and then either restore the timber, or cut it down to a 20 inch barrel but keep the wood on it - my own custom hunting rifle!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 8:45pm
Originally posted by Moisy Moisy wrote:

Thanks again Men,
I'm seriously impressed at the level of knowledge and enthusiasm of folks on this forum. 
I guess I'll keep looking. What I really want is a No.5 - "jungle carbine" - because it would be perfect for my style of hunting in the thick bush and at short-ish ranges. But they go for drug money here in Oz.
Cheers,
It is unfortunate that I live in Phoenix Arizona then Moisy.
I actually have both, a Santa Fe No5 with the aftermarket No32 scope mount assembly and an actual No5Mk1. Both are collecting dust currently. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 10:31pm
If your main purpose for the rifle is hunting; you can probably find a nice sporterised No4. As per Crocodile Dundee!
It may save you money as well. 
Parker Hale made nice sporter's and I'm sure you can find local conversions as well. Just make sure that it's good operational condition.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Moisy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 29 2021 at 4:18pm
Originally posted by Goosic Goosic wrote:

[QUOTE=Moisy]Thanks again Men,
I'm seriously impressed at the level of knowledge and enthusiasm of folks on this forum. 
I guess I'll keep looking. What I really want is a No.5 - "jungle carbine" - because it would be perfect for my style of hunting in the thick bush and at short-ish ranges. But they go for drug money here in Oz.
Cheers,
It is unfortunate that I live in Phoenix Arizona then Moisy.
I actually have both, a Santa Fe No5 with the aftermarket No32 scope mount assembly and an actual No5Mk1. Both are collecting dust currently. Goosic that is a real shame. Wish I could get my hands on that No. 5! 

Does anybody know if one could fit a No.5 barrel to a No.4 - with the wood suitably cut down, of course. A kind of clayton's No.5. It would be purely a shooter, but might fit the bill nicely for a handy dandy bush rifle.
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