model 1944

Question
i have a Santa Fe model 1944   from the golden state arms corp pasadena calif it is bolt action rifle     tell me something about this gun.. i have had it for a long time i got it on a trade about 17 years ago         thanks  jim

Answer
Jim,

Without actually seeing photos, I can't be completely sure what you have.  The rifle you have is most likely a Lee-Enfield No.4, Mk1.  Golden State Arms purchased large numbers of military surplus rifles and converted them into hunting rifles.  To 'sporterize' the rifles, many times they rebuilt the rifle on a new stocks and reconditioned the rifles.

Sometimes the original actions were preserved.  The original caliber for this particular rifle was .303 British.  In some cases, the actions were changed to other calibers.

Golden State also purchased a lot of Mauser rifles and 'sporterized' them as well.

The original Lee-Enfield No. 4, Mk 1 was introduced in 1939 and remains in service today in the British Army.

If you are interest in learning a great deal more about the Enfield rifle, check out the following link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enfield

I hope you found my answer helpful...

Best regards,

Doug Little