Bjornb
07-17-2013, 07:50 PM
Picked up this SMLE rifle recently, paid very little money. The barrel is stamped Santa Fe Model 1944, and the entire top of the receiver (charger bridge and mil.sights)have been milled off somehow. I was able to find some info online, on the University of Idaho's website:http://www.uiweb.uidaho.edu/stratton/SantaFeRifles.htm
It states the following:
The Model 1944 exhibits the barrel and receiver gunsmithing of the 1941 Supreme but is fitted with sporterized military furniture. The receiver has the charger bridge and rear sight bracket milled off, and the barrel is lathe-turned. All metal re-finished with a high luster blue. Sights are Williams-type ramp front and folding leaf rear. The buttstock is military but is fitted with a "Santa Fe" red rubber recoil pad. The fore-end is shortened and has the tip painted black to simulate a contrasting fore-end tip. Overall length is 40 inches, and the barrel is 22 inches long. One Model 1944 was reported as having commercial sporter furniture, however.
I picked up one of NOE's GB moulds, the 314299, and I'll give it a try with a medium load before I go crazy with load development. The bore is shiny with strong rifling, doesn't look like the gun has been fired much. Just thought I'd share some pics.
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It states the following:
The Model 1944 exhibits the barrel and receiver gunsmithing of the 1941 Supreme but is fitted with sporterized military furniture. The receiver has the charger bridge and rear sight bracket milled off, and the barrel is lathe-turned. All metal re-finished with a high luster blue. Sights are Williams-type ramp front and folding leaf rear. The buttstock is military but is fitted with a "Santa Fe" red rubber recoil pad. The fore-end is shortened and has the tip painted black to simulate a contrasting fore-end tip. Overall length is 40 inches, and the barrel is 22 inches long. One Model 1944 was reported as having commercial sporter furniture, however.
I picked up one of NOE's GB moulds, the 314299, and I'll give it a try with a medium load before I go crazy with load development. The bore is shiny with strong rifling, doesn't look like the gun has been fired much. Just thought I'd share some pics.
76425
76426
76427