1933 Trials T

[chosenman]

I would say it was at some point in its life or was in the process of being one, look at the pic of the left side of the body, outline of the rear pad holes and the bracket screw hole, hard to say if the holes were filled in and welded.... but no outline of the front pad holes.

But its not a sniper now Geoffrey, no comparison. The auction rifle is a non FTR'd rifle still pretty much untouched, with what looks like its original woodwork. I would love to get underneath that wood to see if the barrel is original and numbered to the rifle. This is a rare gun it must be in a very small group of guns when you think only 1403 were converted in total. How many of those still exist in any condition? Of those how many exist in an FTR'd condition, the majority I would imagine. Now how many still exist in their original trials trim? Not many at all I would imagine.

[mjolnir2]

As per what I learned in Peter's book this is a rare piece of history, If the rifle was won at $3,800 USD, how much would the correct scope cost to place back on the rifle? I've seen scope and mounts in the $1500 to $2500 USD range. You also have all the issues Peter mentioned in his book in regard to correct scope alignment. However, if you are a collector... agreed a rare rifle.

[Surpmil]

If it had started at $100. it might have gone over $5000. like a lesser one did recently.

[PrinzEugen]

Yes surpmil's right (and I'd certainly buy a trials at the prices in America - certainly not the Fultons one where every conversation about it would be an explanation [chosenman I wasn't suggesting it as a viable alternative. I just find it, and its price, amusing]...) - you see it on ebay all the time - start it too high or put a mysterious reserve on and people just don't bid. Start low and it can go really high as people still chase the bargain it originally was.

[bigduke6]

But its not a sniper now Geoffrey, no comparison. The auction rifle is a non FTR'd rifle still pretty much untouched, with what looks like its original woodwork. I would love to get underneath that wood to see if the barrel is original and numbered to the rifle. This is a rare gun it must be in a very small group of guns when you think only 1403 were converted in total. How many of those still exist in any condition? Of those how many exist in an FTR'd condition, the majority I would imagine. Now how many still exist in their original trials trim? Not many at all I would imagine.

I totally agree Steven no comparison but I think its two good examples to compare what you can get for your money, one is a no brainer, the other looks like it has had more make over's than the late Joan Rivers....

[Peter Laidler]

I could never substantiate the 1403 figure in any of the research I did. Couldn't find any Enfield papers to this effect. More to the point, nor could we ever substantiate whether this mystical/mysterious figure related to trials rifles or the first post production rifles converted at Enfield or ALL of the Enfield No4T output pre H&H. Or indeed 1403 per se! Nope...... spent hours and hours there and asking - but nuffink!

[waco16]

Are there any of our American cousins who would be prepared to help an Englishman bring this rifle home?

[Surpmil]

So the only things we can definitely say are: most of the trials No4s appear to have been converted, but definitely not all.

I finally started a spreadsheet in Excel and have about 30 rifles recorded so far, 6 are not converted to No4(T).

Maybe it can be posted somewhere it is visible to members only Badger? (There are issues around confidentiality I suppose, though the initials and monikers of owners can easily be removed as well.)

Edit: now about 50 rifles in the spreadsheet and 9 unconverted to No4(T)

[snipershot1944]

Looks like someone bought the Trials T sans scope referred to above. One of our crew here perhaps? Will it be going back home to GB?

[waco16]

Pleased to say it will be returning to Blightly!