Santa Fe Model 1944

[Red Eagle]

A friend of mine has a gun he is trying to identify. It is marked on the barrel :

Santa Fe Model 1944

Golden State Arms Corp

Pasaden, Ca

The gun is a bolt action and above what appears to be the serial number is marked England. I think it probably hold 4-5 rounds maybe a .303 cal not sure no marking about caliber. Any info would be appreciated.

[res308]

Some pictures would help a lot. I'm not familiar with that one myself, but chances are, someone on here is. Maybe a couple good overall pics and some really good close-ups.

[Guest gcrookston]

These started life as an Enfield No4 Mk1. They were imported, sporterized and resold by Golden State Arms in the 1955-65 year range. Sold primarily through store front and mail order, a little research of the back pages of American Rifleman, Guns and Ammo and other outdoors magazines of the era should uncover a Golden State Arms / Santa Fe Division ad for the rifle.

Golden State Arms was located in Pasadena California and went out of business in the late 1960's. The Santa Fe Division of Golden State Arms primarily sporterized military rifles. Several former employees formed Federal Ordnance which operated much as GSA, importing foreign and domestic arms, until it's closing in the early 1990's.

Edited June 22, 2010 by gcrookston

[Mike.357]

here is a pic of a similar rifle ( i guess)

does not look like it sold for much

303 Enfield sporter Santa Fe model 1944 : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com

[Guest gcrookston]

here is a pic of a similar rifle ( i guess)

does not look like it sold for much

303 Enfield sporter Santa Fe model 1944 : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com

That's the high end of what I have encountered these going for. One has to remember these were sold for less than $30.00 when "new" (and an unmolested No4Mk1 was about $15.00)

[Red Eagle]

Thanks everyone for the info. The picture was exactly like the one he has.

[Mike.357]

it would have no value to me, i prefer my milsurps left as they were originally built.

[gregintenn]

I'd enjoy one.