rare 1931 #4 trials rifle non-sniper

[superbee]

Just missed by 20 minutes on the joe salter site a unaltered 1931 trials rifle
Item # 15840

1931 trials rifle Item # 15840

Almost new condition,great pics for reference on the site.
I don,t know the selling price.

Maybe another 20 years before I see another one!

Information

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[Badger]

Saved auction data and pics for research posterity ...

Seller said:

Lee Enfield No 4 Mark I Trials Rifle - Sold for $6,750 U.S.

We are pleased to offer a rare Lee Enfield trials rifle. Serial # A0888 with bright, excellent bore. For reference see Chapter 7 "The Lee-Enfield" by Ian Skennerton at page 211. This piece is marked on the left stock socket "GR crown Enfield , 1931 No 4 MK I over C and serial # A0888". This was the B Pattern rifle following the No 1 MK VI. There were a total of 2479 of these trials rifles built. The survival rate of these trial pieces is very low. factory records indicate that 2000 were rebuilt and many were used in the sniper conversion program of early WWII. This rifle retains 95% plus of its original blued finish. The wood is excellent and is matching with clear sharp stampings and raised grain feathering. The piece is fitted with the MKVI front sight protector, cut off, and stock disk. The only damage to the piece is a small stock gouge on the left above the trigger guard and a 1" surface crack ahead of the cut off. The background history of this trials gun is as follows: This piece originated from an estate in Massachusetts. The information is that it was given to one of the former owners by Oliver M (Jack) Knode who was the vice president of Savage Arms. This piece came out in the 1960-70 period of time. The best guess regarding this rifle is that it probably came to America with the original tool set for the Stevens No 4 production. This is based on the former owner and that it originated out of Chicopee, Mass. A very rare item for the advanced Lee Enfield or British Military collector. FFL or C&R

Regards,
Doug

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[RJW NZ]

Oh my god thats so clean and the history is so good it's beyond drool worthy!

Re the comment that many were used in the sniper conversion programs. I've always wondered just why the trials rifle were chosen, seemingly as a group? Was there something better about these rifles that made them good snipers? Did they shoot better? Or was it just the business of having them handy in storage and not issued, and therefore easily available, at a time of great need?

Who ever it was deserves a medal; for creating some of the finest and most sought after sniper variants that will ever exist!

[Peter Laidler]

The trials rifles were chosen because they were a) available in number, b) simple to convert with the flat side vertical to the barrel, c) proven to be more accurate and durable than the existing rifle and d) better still, were already earmarked for production which was already getting underway. There was very little in the way of trials for it's acceptance. But none the less, a wise choice

[tlvaughn]

Just missed by 20 minutes on the joe salter site

I think I logged on somewhere between 12:08 and 12:12 and it was already sold!! Most likely out of my price range, but I will never know!

[Garandrew]

Joe sold it for 6750..he did mention a crack in the stock, forward of the cut-off, and a dent or chip, still gorgeous..That buttplate material is the same as the Savages..I figured they would have used brass??

[limpetmine]

$6,750.00.
stunning.
I've got to get cracking on my restoration.

[superbee]

Holy crap!I didn,t think it was that much!

[tlvaughn]

Based on what he has been able to sell his rifles for, I was thinking it would be no less than $4000 to $5000.

[Garandrew]

I have been to his business...lots of gems, I picked some for myself, but missed out on a MKVI, it was in my hands....I failed to recognize the rear sight...for what it was...