Newly bought 1943 T sniper.

[Seaspriter]

Hey, BPD are my initials. Maybe I was an inspector in a past life. No wonder I'm interested in these dang things!

We now have Irrefutable Documented Evidence that Brian Dick is a Reincanated Official Lee Enfield Inspector (ROLEI). Here is the photographic validation of this extraordinary chain of ownership of Royal Title. I did a chalk rubbing on the stock of my 71CXXXX series Savage-Stevens Enfield which revealed Brian's imbedded initials.

Brian, you now have the longest pedigreed history of restoring Lee Enfields of anyone on this site [sorry Captain Laidler, I surmise Brian may have got you on this one, unless you too are a reincarnated Armourer from Elizabethan England -- which I wouldn't doubt, but some evidence would help make the case ].

[Brian Dick]

No, Peter's the real thing. I just fake it. I do have a distant relative buried near Fromelle in France who was a Sgt. in the Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders. He was killed in 1915 most likely carrying an SMLE and not working on them. My family came from Stirling, Scotland so it makes sense he was with the "Angry & Seldom Happy!".

FR=Factory Repair marking

E.S.A/B.P.D., (you sure that's a "B"?) = Workshop where the work took place in 12-44? Maybe the markings experts can weigh in.

[Seaspriter]

you sure that's a "B"?)

I put the intitials under a high power magnifying glass in the sunlight and am 99% sure it is a "B" -- there is a little grain and small chip going through the wood at the bottom of the "B" so there is some obscuring. However, I still think there is sufficient evidence for you to display a Royal Crest with ROLEI emblazoned upon it. It's certainly an honor not bestowed on just any gunsmith.

[Brian Dick]

I appreciate that. Still waiting for the riches that should come from all this success!

[Z28addiction]

Since my rifle is a trials rifle that means it most likely seen no combat then correct? It seems there is a sister gun to mine with a serial number starting with AQ. I wonder what they were testing with these 2 guns.

[vintage hunter]

Since my rifle is a trials rifle that means it most likely seen no combat then correct?

Your rifle may have been used in some form of trials in it's service life but it's not one of the true trials No.4's produced/converted at Enfield. Being it's a 1943 BSA I think it would be safe to assume beyond all reasonable doubt that it saw plenty of combat use in WWII and quite possibly Korea as well.

[Seaforth72]

Peter Laidler, a retired British ArmybArmourer, might be able to shed some light on the type of trials your rifle might have been used in. I do highly recommend his book AN ARMOURER'S PERSPECTIVE (Ian Skennerton published these but out of print I believe) and his book on the No.32 scope (Reprinted by Brian Dick BDL Ltd. in USA.)

As pointed out above by another contributor, yours is not what we normally call the "Trials No. 4" as those were the c.1931-1933 production, made for troop trials and manufacturing testing. Peter's research found yours in some sort of trial that was done in 1943 or later. I expect it was a minor trial. As the No.4 sniper rifles were well refined and defined by 1943 and very little changed after that - scopes, sling swivel, a minor change to Canadian made rifles, and the field expedient of grinding away under the back sight so the bolt could be removed without having to remove the scope. Examples of possible trials your rifle MIGHT have been used in:
- waterproofing scope trials
- testing scopes at dawn and dusk for blooming to improve light gathering
- trial of a newer or upgraded version of the No. 32 telescope
- trial of a Canadian R.E.L. made sniper scope
- trial of a Canadian R.E.L. Designed and made Telescope, Observer's, Sniping C MK. I 1944-45
- trial of an ammunition variant
- trial of new tactics or camouflage where the rifle was not altered but was part of the trial
- trial of some other new equipment (while I was on Lieutenant Qualifying, we were issued trials folding shovels, and were told to write user feedback on them.
- trial of the storage chest No. 15 MK.I e.g. Additional fitting of Scout Regiment Telescope MK.2 into chest
- comparison trial with another sniper rifle(s) e.g. Soviet, German, U.S. or Japanese
- testing the upcoming sling swivel that was later mounted in front of the magazine, testing a new foresight (sniper foresights evolved over time)
- testing later model back sights (they stayed with the MK.I modified battle peep sight removed)
- testing the Bren Gun web sling for possible use in the sniper rifle.
- trial on interchangeability of parts made by UK makers, Canadian Long Branch and U.S.A. Stevens-Savage or testing newer simpler, //mass produced parts
- trial of wear and effects on accuracy (e.g. wear on barrel after thousands of rounds)
- trials on bedding the barrel to improve accuracy
- lubricant trials for jungle use, desert or cold weather
etc.
Remember that these are only guesses. Likely it was something small or minor.

Was yours used in combat? Very possibly. If not in WWII, then it had plenty of other opportunities over the years until it was retired.

The positive aspect is that you know more about your rifle's wartime service than about 95% of the owners of No.4 T rifles. Some know that their rifle served with the British, Canadian, Indian or Belgian Armies based upon issue marks or Ishapore screws and other clues. Sometimes the service tags will reveal something. Markings on a chest might reveal the last user unit if the chest is known to be matched to the rifle. I have a chest marked to the "1 Green Jackets", TIDWORTH (Depot) and the transport ship. Sadly that chest is not marked to confirm it had been with that rifle. As a result I know which unit used the chest, and that it was sent somewhere outside of the UK, but I have way of knowing whether that rifle went with it. As well, most chests were marked with a removable paper tag on one end - and as we know Armourers are not sentimental blokes, so the rifle and tag might be switched at any time. After all it was simply a transit and storage chest to the army.

[Z28addiction]

Thx for the great response. I actually did buy peters book. Alot of the rifles he list were as u said minor trials but sadly next to my serial number and the other AQ gun there isn't a definition of the test being performed. Either way I think it's awesome as u said to know that it was a bit more than just a combat gun and have it documented is incredible to me.
This has kind of been the dream milsurp for me since my good friend got me into it about 8 years ago. Never thought I would have one due to the large cost of most that come complete with scopes. But when I seem this one come up with the laqure job I knew I could redue it and as stated before this rifle is way more than I could have ever dreamed being 28 and I've only just got back into the hobby 6 months ago or so lol. Guess right place and right time for once.

[Z28addiction]

I purchased a 1942 mk1 scope and original mount. Will take pictures when it arrives.

[Z28addiction]

Took a few pictures of the gun as its complete. I tried darkening the stock but as its darker in person it stayed pretty light. I opted to just enjoy the gun as is before a mess something up. As stated I bought a 1941 mk1 scope. No 2212 and scope mount has rifle m 37014 stamped on it. Scope is in great shape and clear as clear can be. Also pictured is an original 1918 1907 sling also in gorgeous shape! Love how this gun came together. Can't wait to shoot it. Thoughts and comments always welcome. Also thanks to everyone's help .