South African No. 4 Mk. 1 Rifle by Fazakerly

Serial #PF54691, .303 British, 25" barrel with a fine, bright bore that has some mild freckling within the grooves. This is a 11/48 dated, ROF Fazakerly-made rifle that has retained 60-70% of a flaked Suncorite finish, with the underlying metal having a mixed plum-brown and pewter gray patina. The matching numbered bolt exhibits some further mild wear and finish loss on the bearing surfaces, and the handle has worn to dark gray underlying metal with some Suncorite remaining. The receiver has a small import stamp on the left side, as well as a large "U (Broad Arrow)" Union of South Africa property stamp on the top of the receiver ring. Additionally, a milled adjustable rear sight is fitted. The walnut buttstock, non-numbered forend, and handguards are in about good-very good condition with numerous small handling marks scattered about the reapplied military oil finish, a few stable cracks at the heel of the butt, and the brass buttplate has an overall dark ochre patina. The rifle is accompanied by a single, matching-numbered magazine. This is a very good-near fine example of a just pre-Korean War era, South African No. 4, and would make a terrific addition to any collection. FFL or C&R