1931 trial rifle question

Why so few photos?

It's been refinished; looks parkerized. Why anyone would add those fugly parts I don't know: I mean the cocking piece and trigger guard.

If the bore is in nice shape it would be worth restoring IMO.

There are recipes published for "Enfield" finishes, I believe in Angier's book and in Instructions for Armourers 1931, Appendix 1, though I don't know if the latter approximates the "Enfield blue" that was originally on these rifles (see other threads about trials No4s for examples)

Parts are out there; I found a trials trigger guard in a box of parts a few months back, which now adorns a trials No4 in the UK.

If you bought the right to rummage at Numrich or Navy Arms etc. you might well find most of the parts you would need, if you know what to look for.

Failing that, you get what looks closest and either live with those or modify to match the originals as far as possible.

You might find another trials No4(T) that was stripped of its pads and could be a source of parts. I knew someone with such a rifle ten years or so back that he sold into the USA, and I believe a couple of others have surfaced in North America since then.

In your place I would push hard to find out where the rifle has been and who owned it before in case parts from a sporterization might still be around. Stranger things have happened.

I can see where Surpmil is coming from AND those thousands of others out there screaming for you to reconstitute it to something it ain't never ever going to be again........ an original trials T. And remember this.......... A trials T ain't original either. It's been CONVERTED to what it was FROM what it was! It is what it is. A good old hard worked No4T sniper rifle that has been through a zilion Armourers hands and Armourers shops. Easy to do and with a story to tell AND it's as honest as the day is long to boot! Just my take on these things

I would love to find an original unmodified Trials rifle still in un-modified original condition. I have one as such, having all the early parts, no upgrades or newer stamps, except it was converted to a "T", and as Peter says, hence not original any more but at least, 2nd best.
Ray

I traded a bog standard No4MkI a few years ago for what was essentially a No4 Trials T barreled action with some extra bits. What I got was a very nice barreled action with original excellent bore barrel, waisted front foresight protector, EFD complete rear sight, and ammo cutoff.

I had a new unserialed Faz bolt, used No4 wood, and the other small bits, such as screws, barrel bands, etc. Here is what I got:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...rialspic-1.jpg



And this is what I ended up with. I copied the dimensions of the cutoff clearance from an early Savage fore end I had lying about. I now have a proper scope bracket I got from Alan de Enfield, and a MkI scope from Warren:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...afterpic-1.jpg

There, Hal's got a perfect example of what I was talking about. A good, slogged hard, earned its keep, been there, done that, sound as the day's long early No4T. How much better can life get?

I currently have all new wood for for it. i was just trying to decide if i should sell it as as and keep the wood for a beat up no. 4 shooter or put the wood on, get a magazine and sell it that way

Whatever you choose, be advised that there's no such thing as just putting a new set of wood on a No4 and expecting it to shoot. IT has to be fitted properly. That's why real Armourers had a 3 year apprenticeship PLUS another 2 years on the bench before thet were 1st Class qualified and could work unsupervised

Your points are well taken Peter; I think we're all on the same page as far as originality and restoration goes. If parts replacement is required it's nice to have as many appropriate parts on a rifle as possible though. No pretense of originality intended.

With that nice coat of parkerizing on there I suppose the OP could just proceed straight to Suncorite at BDL!

i realize it must be fitted..i have done that on others myself. I am basically not an enfield collector and want to find this thing a nice home so I can pursue other interests. I was just curious if I should put some time into it or sell it as is to someone that has the knowledge and appreciation to restore this fine piece of history. Im sure someone would get alot of satisfaction restoring this. I dont want to do it just to increase the value. Does $1000 sound like a fair asking price for as is? or i will just auction it and take what i get.

Being that it is a sniper it probably got the whole nine yard rebuild in 1941 so why not have a go at it. You have nothing to loose and a lot of fun in the hunt for parts ect. You never pay to much, you just buy too early, however time will catch up to the value eventually. It will be a parts gun but if you are happy with it who else matters??? If it is a business take another look at it..if a hobby....have some fun in the hunt for parts at a reasonable price. You can meet some great people in the hunt for parts.
The one thing I cannot see nor find mentioned, is the barrel bobbed or ??? The pictures all cut off at the sight protector, but even with the barrel bobbed, a 41 Maltby barrel would be the ticket if re-barreled.
My .02 and my take on it