DCRA No4 Mk1/3
1942 Savage No4 Mk I*
1952(F) FTR No4 Mk1/3
DCRA Conversion #692

DCRA (Dominion of Canada Rifle Association) Conversion Rifle 7.62mm NATO

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Updated Jun 05
    This rifle started off as a 1942 Savage manufactured No4 MkI* it found its way to Britain (there was a war going on after all) and was later, in 1952 given a factory thorough repair (FTR) at the Fazakerely factory bringing it up to the Mk2 configuration.  This normally involved rebarreling and hanging the trigger from a bracket on the but socket rather than from the trigger guard.  They also replaced all the wartime expedient parts.  The rifle then found it's way to Canada and ended up as a DCRA club rifle, and when they switched from .303 ammunition to the new 7.62 NATO round this rifle was sent to Canadian Arsenals Ltd, (successor to Longbranch) for conversion.  Over 50 years of history and now I own it.
    Originally these target rifles were used manufactured for both the DCRA and the Canadian Military.  Later DCRA clubs would have their existing rifles converted.  Mine appears to be one of the later conversions.  The earlier rifles were manufactured from Longbranch receivers and were fitted with new barrels, target sites, and had their extractor and ejector modified for the 7.62 NATO round.  It is reported that they had their magazine well machined to accept a 7.62 magazine, however some references disagree with this.  I am still trying to find out what the answer to this question is.  What I have found out that there were modifications made for the feed lips on the .308 mags to allow them to feed properly.  Mine does not have the modified extractor and ejector, target site or 7.62 magazine modification.  This makes shooting the rifle a lot slower as spent brass has to be dumped from the receiver and fresh rounds fed into the rifle.  The barrel is bedded part way down the barrel with a hardwood insert on this rifle, not fiberglass along the receiver like the earlier military conversions.  It is estimated that less than 3000 rifles were converted to DCRA target rifles.  The highest reported conversion number is #1944, I have rifle number #692, so about 1/3 of the way into the conversions.
    I am planning to get an extractor that will properly eject 7.62 rounds, and a rear target site, I'm not too concerned about the magazine.  All in all this is a great looking rifle and is a pleasure to shoot.
Two views of the right side of the receiver showing the original makers mark and date, on the right and the later FTR markings in electro-pencil on the right.  You can just make out in the picture where the original No4MkI* marking is struck through when the rifle was remarked
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Another view of the left side of the receiver showing the makings and flip up micrometer sight.  Notice the cross bolt in the rear of the stock.  I know that this is not from the FTR, it is a big ugly bolt that someone has used.  all the other rifles that I have seen that went through a FTR to the Mk2 standard have a different bolt and round nut. 

(part of the serial number 27C2xxx has been omitted in all photos) 

This is where this rifle differs from my other FTR Savage No4 Mk1/3 FTR.  Here are the DCRA markings.  The stamping found on the top of the bolt handle is a poor stamping, but the stamps on the barrel and receiver are better.  You can clearly make out the number 692 and the DCRA stamp (actually this is a stylized acceptance mark, sort of a cross between the arrow and a maple leaf)   Also there is a letter M marked on the barrel and it also has the DCRA stamp next to it, I have been unable to find any reference to this stamp.
Two additional pictures one of the muzzle showing the Canadian Arsenal Ltd stamp along with the 7.62 stamp.   The other shows the magazine well, which is not machined to accept 7.62 mags.  Also it has the narrow trigger guard.  Sadly the middle target sling swivel was missing, but I have found and installed a replacement. 
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Jay Currah's DCRA Enfield page
DCRA official website
www.enfielditis.net - odd page some good pictures