Very early No4 Sniper

[MKV111Z]

I saw this in 2013 and mentioned it to one of the staff there I couldn't persuade him to remove it from the case so I could examine the rifle. I gather it came to them as part of a collection described as a No4T, clearly its a No1 Mk6 trials rifle converted to a No4T.

The guy I spoke to assured me that he had access to research material and was in contact with Ian Skennerton and would follow it up. Yeah right.

Cheers

H

[Peter Laidler]

How 'clearly' is it a No1 Mk6? The left bodyside looks right to me. Or am I missing something?

[Lee Enfield]

How 'clearly' is it a No1 Mk6? The left bodyside looks right to me. Or am I missing something?

I'm sure Mr 8z is labouring under previously published incorrect information which stated that No1MkVI and No4MkI trials rifles were converted into sniping rifles.

Although were not some of the earliest high and flat side No4MkI rifles not originally designated as No1MkVI ? If I'm not mistaken, at some point I may have seen pictures of an over stamped No4 trials rifle.

I know that I've seen photos of a low side No1mkVI which was over stamped as a No4MkI...presumably after rebuild with no4 parts during ww2.

[MKV111Z]

Well yes I could be mistaken but I have seen one so converted and heard of another. Consider also since the first No4's were produced at Maltby in June 1941 and as far as I'm aware didn't have a cut off, in the absence of a through examination I still believe it was a No1 Mk6.

but hey life's too short to get bogged down.

H

[Lee Enfield]

Well yes I could be mistaken but I have seen one so converted and heard of another. Consider also since the first No4's were produced at Maltby in June 1941 and as far as I'm aware didn't have a cut off, in the absence of a through examination I still believe it was a No1 Mk6.

but hey life's too short to get bogged down.

H

Actually, what you are stating is (as implied by Mr. Laidler) impossible.

A No1MkVI cannot be converted to No4(T) status due to 2 inescapable factors:

1. the left side rail of the receiver where the front pad would be installed, is milled too low to attach a front pad.
2. part of the location where the rear pad would be installed (behind the bolt locking recess) is totally milled out in an oval shape.
Lee Enfield Sniper Rifles -

the No1MkVI is obviously the pattern Long Branch used to determine the lightening milling pattern for the LB lightweight rifle:
Milsurps Knowledge Library - No.4 Canadian Lightweight Experimental Rifle