Fazakerly Sniper?

I found that I already had this BSA Shirley No. 4 Mk. I(T) rifle X33349 with scope 24364 listed in my No. 4 (T) research database from May 2017. It had the "TR" mark, "S51", "1945". I could not tell from the photos what other marks may or may not have been present. The most important one now would be if it has the "T" on the left flat side of the body.

It appeared to have the scope SN 24364 on the wrist but the photos then were not clear enough for me to be sure of that. It was with a No. 15 Mk. I wooden chest marked (T. LESS TELESCOPE) (correct model but likely from another rifle as was often the case and it had a canvas scope case No. 8 Mk. 2 with matching serial numbers to rifle and scope. Having the matching numbered scope case is very important to helping to verify the wartime conversion of the rifle to sniper configuration. Correct M1907 sling. Rifle was then described then as being mint. Appears to be matching numbers. Tentatively it looks like a good one and if the price is right ... it will be snapped up by someone.

A few more pics he sent...

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...20Rifle2-4.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...20Rifle2-5.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...20Rifle2-6.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...20Rifle2-7.jpg

Well if its a good price get down there pronto or contact them and grab it straight away if the the minister for war & finances disagrees then show what they are going for with the transit case & other goodies here in Aus that rifle would go for between $7.5 - $8.5K+ but as usual its up to the buyer just how much they want to part with.
Not being able to get a check on the cond of the barrel is the only pit, hopefully the turrets grease has not hardened up stiffening turret travel (I always take mine through their full travel occasionally) the rifle looks in very good condition if I was near it then it would be in the gunsafe tomorrow and I'd put up with the fall out later....Good luck.

Well done the gurus Roger & Seaforth & other members

It's a peach. If the bore's ok & the price is right buy it. You won't lose if you pay no more than the going rate. If you pay less you're in clover.

IT's about $1300 US... I'd be a fool to pass it up.

But honestly, the extremely low price is what made me hesitant. My other concern is it being a scam. Kinda along the lines of 'if it sounds too good to be true'...

Are you close enough to get the rifle in your hands that way a face to face, do a serial check on it to make sure its not hot property some gooses still flout the law but best check, or 50% deposit you get the rifle to inspect not to shoot if its no good then a full refund if its as it looks then pay the other 50%. Sometimes you do stumble across these things but as you say be cautious.....

Like my CBR 1100 XX Blackbird I recently brought 2003 build with 42300 klm on the clock thats only 2820 Klms per year for 15 years or 235 Klm's a month if it was ridden every month they are there...........though I have spent $1400 on it for tyres ($750 for 2), clutch/brake fluid & oil + filter change & plugs/air filter change as I had no service history on it I do now.

Do a google image search to see if the images have been taken from elsewhere on the net. (I tried but couldn't get it to work on my phone).

Also check if the name of the seller is who submitted it to seaforth72. If not how did he/she get it?

Well it's still for sale online, despite being put up on the 8th Feb. States he won't ship, so you'll need to be in the area or enjoy a drive. Personally for the price of $1250 I'd have been in the car 6 days ago to check it out in person. If he'd ship to the UK I'd take a punt sight unseen!
Good luck

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Roy W

Well it's still for sale online, despite being put up on the 8th Feb. States he won't ship, so you'll need to be in the area or enjoy a drive. Personally for the price of $1250 I'd have been in the car 6 days ago to check it out in person. If he'd ship to the UK I'd take a punt sight unseen!
Good luck

---

That'd be the one... I'm in Korea till next week, but he is willing to ship. I've found that most of the time, despite what the ads say, people are still willing to ship if you ask and are willing to pay the cost.

Out of curiosity, what's your feeling based on the ad?

the ad is too minimal to tell, get him to photograph the rifle next to a piece of paper with something random written on it, to prove he has it

Bottom line is, the sum total of the parts are worth more than he is charging. The scope alone is worth double.

No brainer if you ask me