Ishapore Victory Model

[1srelluc]

I found this Lend Lease "Victory" model today. I gave $125.00 for it. It's in .38/200 (.38 S&W).

Serial # 866272. Still tight. Nice bore. CAI Import.

Sadly it went through a Forward Through Repair at the Ishapore Factory in 1968.

It's finished in the "locomotive paint" the Ishapore 2A "Enfield" rifles are known for.

A lot of the markings are covered by the thick paint but I can make out the US Property marking on the top-strap and broadarrow proof in front of that. No V in the serial but there is a V stamped on the right side of the butt next to the lanyard swivel retaining pin.

There does not appear to be any finish left under the paint if the few places the paint is worn is any indication.

Interesting variant.

 

[Absalom]

I found this Lend Lease "Victory" model today. I gave $125.00 for it. It's in .38/200 (.38 S&W).

Serial # 866272. Still tight. Nice bore. CAI Import.

Sadly it went through a Forward Through Repair at the Ishapore Factory in 1968.

.....

What do you mean, "sadly"?

FTR is "Factory Thorough Repair", by the way.

An Ishapore FTR'd BSR in half-way decent condition is somewhat of a grail gun for hardcore collectors. Not many made it back here, and most are in absolutely atrocious condition, starting with the way the FTR was executed. This one looks positively stunning in comparison , especially at the price you paid.

With that serial, it's a Pre-Victory from late 1941. It is very early for the property stamp, which can't legitimately say US PROPERTY, but would have to be UNITED STATES PROPERTY, the long version.

 

[1srelluc]

What do you mean, "sadly"?

FTR is "Factory Thorough Repair", by the way.

An Ishapore FTR'd BSR in half-way decent condition is somewhat of a grail gun for hardcore collectors. Not many made it back here, and most are in absolutely atrocious condition, starting with the way the FTR was executed. This one looks positively stunning in comparison , especially at the price you paid.

With that serial, it's a Pre-Victory from late 1941. It is very early for the property stamp, which can't legitimately say US PROPERTY, but would have to be UNITED STATES PROPERTY, the long version.

LOL....Well the "sadly" is a bit over-stated I guess.

Most of the Indian refurbs don't command too much attention in the mil-surp world. I did not figure S&W collectors into that but it's good to know.

And yes, it does say United States Property on the top strap, I must have got lazy when I was hunting and pecking.

 

[Targets Guy]

At least they didn't put a whistle on it.

 

[1srelluc]

At least they didn't put a whistle on it.

Wut?

 

[StakeOut]

'It's finished in the "locomotive paint"'

locomotive whistle

 

[PeterDE]

There is an article in the current issue of Military Surplus about the Victory model, on page 76. It focuses mainly on the US and British versions. But it's very interesting article. (Gun Buyers Annual #202: Military Surplus) I found one at Barnes & Noble. Military Surplus Magazine

 

[1srelluc]

'It's finished in the "locomotive paint"'

locomotive whistle

LOL....OK, I get it.

The "Locomotive Paint" thing is the accepted parlance in the mil-surp world as it pertains to the thick black epoxy-based paint used on surplused Ishapore built/refurbed guns.

 

[Dave_n]

Not only on Ishapore's. Can remove with paint remover with a lot of effort and then refinish as you wish. Suncorite is the actual trade name and at times, you can buy it in the US. Dave_n

 

[1srelluc]

Not only on Ishapore's. Can remove with paint remover with a lot of effort and then refinish as you wish. Suncorite is the actual trade name and at times, you can buy it in the US. Dave_n

The Ishapore paint is not Suncorite, or at least that was the word by someone that had it checked-out.

BTW....Suncorite 528 RFU is now called Bonderite O-PC 528 Black RFU.....Same stuff, different name.

I know Acetone won't touch the Isapore paint. Oddly enough the only way I was able to remove it on 2As was with Purple Power degreaser.

Even them it did not dissolve it, it just got under the paint into the parkerizing and lifted it from the park in sheets.

That said I never tried any of the commercial strippers.