What is this thing?

[canewalker]

I bought this thing because it was neat lookin' and the salesman had a ticket on it that showed the price was $199.95 on it and he said "What the heck, you want it you can have it for $100.00. It has sat here for 5 months and nobody wants it" so I bought it.:rolleyes:

It looks like a gunsmith wanted a brush gun but when he cut it off he put arsenal "stuff" back on the end. The barrel is 16 1/2 inches long and there is not a bayonet lug on the nose cap or first band. The only markings on the whole gun are on the left side of the receiver and it looks like it was panograph engraved with the following:

No4MK2(F)
3/54 PF 324XXX

The PF is inside of rectangle missing its right side.

I am not real familiar with a "Longbranch" but it has that type of rear sight that you can flip up and it turns into a real precise looking micrometer click sight then. There are apetures either way. I take it that is just a regular type sight for the Mk.4 Enfield though, huh?

There is not cone flash thing on the end of the barrel. There is nothing but a regular Mk.4 looking muzzle. There is also an brass butt plate.

Does anybody know what this short little thing is? Is it a production gun or something that was an experiment? :confused:

The salesman called it a "Tanker .303" but I don't see that written anywhere on it! I haven't shot it yet but I have a feeling it is going to be a real snot slinger as short as it is. :D Thanks, ND

[REDSTAR]

It's a cut down #4 MK2 which is marketed as a tanker rifle. I don't think any tankers used them I believe that is a US marketing tool. I believe the conversion is performed in this country.

Kind of like the Paratrooper SKS was never used by paratroopers.

For $100 I'd say you did OK. SOG was selling them for $130 several months ago.

The markings indicate the original #4 MK2 was produced in March 1954 at Fazakerly (sp?) which is a suberb of Liverpool England.

Let us know how she shoots :)

[canewalker]

Thanks Redstar. Now I finally know what it is! :D I figured it was a creation but it looked so well done I can see how it could fool someone into thinking it was original. I bought it because it was novel and a good price but I had never heard the term tanker applied to a .303 before the salesman said that so I was suspicious of the story but it's ... "cute" ;) :D !!! I said that with a real low voice after spitting out some of my chew of tobacco! ;)