Forrestry Commission rifle

KCLRPC · Post by **KCLRPC** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 4:10 pm

Hello

I've heard rumours of such a thing lately, and I was wondering if anyone knew about them. From what I've been told, it is an LE MkI, sporterised stock, full size magazine, yet converted to a .22 barrel, and with a stamping for the forrestry commission.

I've dug through the latest Skennerton, and for the life of me cannot see one. The only sort of rifle I remember was in an English Sporting Guns book published 20 years ago, with some that were reworked by Churchills, but I thought that they were still original calibre. Beyond that, I don't appear to have any other reference to them.

Any clues?

Nick

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:44 pm

Do you know which country it refers to ?

I have a vague recollection of Forestry Commission workers in either Australia or New Zealand using .22 rifles to shoot some sort of parasitic growth (fungi ?) off the tops of a specific type of tree.

KCLRPC · Post by **KCLRPC** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:52 pm

The stamping reads 'Forrestry Commission Game Warden'. Doesn't say which country, but its a BSA action, and the barrel has british proof marks. Its also been sleeved (no stamps for Parker rifled, but looks the same), and uses the bolt head of a No.2. I don't think I've ever seen so many military stamps in the underside of a barrel though.

Also noticed the forend has been plugged about where the dial sight normally goes, so I'm guessing a straight cut-down job

Nick

PS. I also suspect it hasn't left Europe. Absence of marks

Post by **DuncaninFrance** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 1:37 pm

KCLRPC · Post by **KCLRPC** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:46 pm

I would take photos, but I don't have a camera anymore. If I did, I have an awful lot besides to photograph

its also not mine to photograph. Managed to grab it quickly today to give a closer inspection

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 4:14 pm

PS. I also suspect it hasn't left Europe. Absence of marks

Rules out the Antipodes then.

KCLRPC · Post by **KCLRPC** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:30 am

I'm afraid so. My main reason is that I have an SMLE which I know went to Australia, and bears marks of an importer. What is confusing me is why a game warden would be issued with a .22 LR. I know people have hunted with the bigger .22's very successfully, but I wouldn't have thought he would have been able to take on much over squirrel or fox.

although the sights are to 150 yards.

I apologise for being bitty in my posts. My memory is working sporadically this week

Nick

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:44 am

I would hazard a guess it's not for hunting. Probably more vermin control, euthenasia and other odd jobs.

KCLRPC · Post by **KCLRPC** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 2:49 pm

Is .22 really big enough for euthenasia?

joseyclosey · Post by **joseyclosey** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 3:46 pm

It is big enough for Mossad,

Joe

Forrestry Commission rifle

Forrestry Commission rifle

WHERE ARE THE PICS NICK?