Navy issue No.4 MKI T

[ickmann]

Anyone happen to know if a Navy issue (That is what the "N" is designating, right?) No.4 MKI T is a scarcer animal to come across as compared to her other siblings? Also, would a Navy T be likely issued to the Royal Marines as opposed to regular Navy?

I bet someone will now tell me that the "N" does not mean Navy and is just a prefix to the serial number. That will be ok, I'm a big boy and can take the education very well.


Ian

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[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

I will be that killjoy. N for November is a 1944 BSA Shirley serial number prefix. Funny thing, my copy of Stratton's book has a typo in the 1944 serial number ranges. It lists alphabetically the letters, and shows two M's and a P. I believe that ought to read L, M, N, P, Q (no O for Oscar).

Nevertheless, a 1944 serial sniper rifle is a gun that very likely saw action in 1944 and 1945. They didn't put these guns back on the rack so some collector sixty or seventy years later could gaze upon it.

[PrinzEugen]

While I certainly don't claim to be an expert, I've heard from reliable sources that the N does mean Royal Navy (ie Commandos) - it's an interesting one.
Also weren't the BSA letters normally in 'line abreast' with the numbers? The few 'N' 4Ts I've seen have all been marked centrally.

[jmoore]

I partially agree with Maple_Leaf_Eh, but I have seen more than a few 1944 "T" rifles that are likely stores room queens. I suspect that "proven" rifles were first to be used and reused and rebuilt and first out the door to the field again. No sense messing up the "new" kit...

[Terrylee]

Attachment 31630

My father was a sniping instructor at the Royal Marine Small Arms School during the Second World War. I have several photographs in which No.4 Sniper rifles are featured,

[Beerhunter]

I'm afraid that I vote for the N being the serial number prefix as well. It is the right letter for the year and it would be odder for the serial number not to have letter prefix.

As to the N's positioning, my BSA No.4T has the letter/numbers all in line but it is real squeeze with the last number almost not making it. So I make that a good reason for marking the OP's rifle the way it is.

[ickmann]

Attachment 31630

My father was a sniping instructor at the Royal Marine Small Arms School during the Second World War. I have several photographs in which No.4 Sniper rifles are featured,

That is a great photograph!

[bigduke6]

Excellent Pic Terry,

Anyone notice the two P14,s ( N03 Mk1* (T) ) one on the deck and one with Marine Horan.

[Simon]

Excellent Pic Terry,

Anyone notice the two P14,s ( N03 Mk1* (T) ) one on the deck and one with Marine Horan.

At the risk of appearing a tad anal about it the two P14's are No3 MkI*(T)A being the Alex Martin produced weapons as as oppose to the No3 MkI*(T) which were the PP Co / BSA weapons. The addition of the A suffix was said to denote "Aldis", however I've observed rifles with Aldis pattern III, pattern IV, Watts and Periscopic Prism Co scopes mounted on them.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Peter Laidler]

The N is part of the serial number