Looking for a No4 Mk1 T

[Roger Payne]

Ian, the original rifle serial number of AV9166 (or is it 9168?), relates to a BSA Shirley rifle made late in 1943. This means that the bracket & scope themselves probably haven't always been together, as the bracket is marked to a 1943 rifle & the scope is a Mk3 which did not enter production until October 1944. (That's not 100% certain as there is just a possibility that the matching scope & bracket were switched to a 1943 rifle before the rifle numbers started to be marked on the brackets just after WW2). But, considering the equipment as a whole, I suspect the scope & bracket were probably married together at some point in the past, & both were then fitted to 'your' rifle.

[IanS]

Thanks Roger. Regardless of the history surrounding this rifle, it does look clean and tidy and feels nice to handle. I handled and shot a few rounds with an Enfield in Canada this year and also a T, I can't say that they felt as nice as this one, must have been the wood that was nice to the touch. I still would like an original with matching scope though. Ian.

PS Forgot to mention that enfield303t's T is a nice rifle, it was his that I had the good fortune to shoot.

[blurrededge]

I just happened to be browsing through the sticky thread on No4 Mk1 trials rifles and I noticed that on page 1 there's a couple of pics of Trials rifle socket sides that have been through an F.T.R and they both have what appears to be the identical TR stamps to our current rifle of interest.

[Roger Payne]

Thanks BE. Maybe a particular judicious armourer? Similarly, I have seen a small number of BSA 1943 rifles that bear a smaller than standard body side wall 'T', which were presumably added after the event to rifles not otherwise marked, & probably by the same person. They are 'non-standard', but all the same as each other.

Added after ----- Actually, it's just dawned on me that there is another explanation for the 'small T' I just mentioned - it could have been used for a short period of time at H&H when they first started marking the receiver side walls, but before they changed to the 'standard T'. (I've only ever seen it on 1943 rifles). Sorry, just my fractured thought processes, & no intention of distracting the thread!

[IanS]

Roger, thanks so much for your guidance and to Peter and to all the other members who responded so positively. The knowledge on this forum is quite exceptional.
Although I accept that the rifle was an original T, it was somewhat "brutalised", I would prefer to have one that is as original as possible and therefore, I won't purchase it. I don't doubt that the price will go up according to the degree of originality.

I need to establish the best method of importing from the States or Canada to avoid wasting time in future. I would very much appreciate some direction from members who have that experience. I suspect I might have to use an
Arms Importer. Again, many thanks, Ian.

[bigduke6]

Ian, I've imported rifles from the States with no problems, only trouble is the VAT and Duty, plus handling fees, plus the exporters fees etc and postage. I'd be more than happy to help if you see something, but them added costs could go towards something in the UK.......

Have a look on egun, I've just imported an L42 from Europe (big thanks to Promo) and it was delivered straight to the door. Nothing to pay, if it had of been from the USA then I would be looking at around £2000 plus the cost of the rifle.

[IanS]

bigduke6, thanks for the information, I made a call to an importer today and you're not far off the mark. I think I will follow your suggestion and stick to the UK and Europe, unless something comes up that I can't refuse. Will have a look on egun in the meantime. Ian.

[IanS]

Hi again, I've just seen an advert for the rifle, which was the subject of an enquiry for help I made some time ago. The link is below,

Lee Enfield no4 T Bolt Action .303 Rifles- GunStar

I would be interested in your comments, advertised price £10,000.

IanS

[Roger Payne]

It's a genuine Savage Mk1 4T with an added Mk3 scope in a bracket originally off a 43 BSA. There doesn't appear to be a scope number on the butt, but even from the photo's you can see the butt has been heavily sanded there at some point. I don't know who the seller's resident expert was, but some of the description is inaccurate & fanciful. I sold its 'sister' rifle, 0C43XX about five or six years ago for about a third of the price that that one is being advertised for.

[IanS]

Hi Roger,

I was a bit surprised at the write-up, bearing in mind both you and others on the forum gave an accurate and critical analysis some time ago. I'm sure there will be more comments to come. Thanks for your help in the past by the way.

IanS