hi there, a differen type of HT low mount and history??

Hi every one, first time poster on any sight, so hope this one is the right one.

I would be grateful if someone could help me out. My father recently passed away and left me his Low mount 303 sniper rifle. I would love to be able to verify its history but am unsure how to go about in doing so.

Apparently it was used as a station firearm and has some marring on the wrist from a mount in a jeep. It does not have full wood but seems to be finished with a Schnabel fore end very well executed, and to my eyes and also I am one not to tinker with original, looks almost original. My grandfather told me they were sometimes lightened like that in Papua new Guinea???? where he saw service.

I can see the “H” on the wrist and the “H” on the barrel which seems to be exceptional and very shiny. The mount for the scope is a little loose and at some stage it has had a recoil pad fitted. In a way it looks as if it has come from an English gun maker as the changes are subtle and not overly compromising.

All the sights are present and working but it is missing the magazine cut off. The top wood with scallop to allow scope mounting behind the rear sight is also present.



What could I do with this rifle to preserve it, it is not for sale, should I leave as is or could I get a stock and nose cap for it as an option and are these available, can I get the scope serviced. The rifle has a great deal of sentimental value and it would be great to Know its history?



Can anyone assist, your help would be well received, I was looking on web sights re this style of rifle and came across this sight

First up try posting some pic's.
If it is a ridgeedidge HT the serial number will be listed in Skennertons works, so if you can post it, the wrist date and the month/year from the right side of the barrel under the rear top gaurd, we can give you a bit more help.

I will endeavour to post photos ASAP.
For now are these details helpful
Wrist ER, BSACo, 1908, ShtLE 111
H on the stock at wrist, on top, H on Barrel Knox HV on Barrel visible when you lift rear sight
Front scope mount 1394
Scope marked SIGHT TELESCOPIC, PATT 1918, (AUST)/1, B.A.A 3650 GA.
D^D 1945
ALSO some hand engraving which is hard to see
The back of the bolt handle has been peened as has an area on the right hand side of the receiver directly below the front mount
The rear sight is graduated to 2000 and has a button on L/H/S and a wheel on R/H/S for fine adjustment I assume, when you push button the wheel disengages.
The rear sight guard has a visible MA on L/H/S
How do you remove wood between sight and receiver?
I will give any other details needed as required to help identify

Regards

scope brass eyepiece has same number as front mount....1394, rear mount on receiver also is stamped 1394, front mount on receiver is stamped 1394 will this be the same as rifle serial number??
Front sight is stamped WA43 on L/H/S, there is a number 5 under the bolt handle on action, visible when bolt is lifted and pulled back.

What is process for attaching photos please

The rifle SN would be a big help.

Cheers

Mike.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mike1967

The rifle SN would be a big help.

Cheers

Mike.

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I can only surmise that the peening on rear of bolt handle and below front scope mount is where the serial number has been, perhaps if this is what is required to ID the rifle it will remain a mystery. I do know my father used it professionally shooting kangaroos north of Carnarvon in the mid sixties and brought it from a friend originally from Broome. I have been told not to fire it with the scope on, which I won't, however the scope is reasonably clear for its age. if it can be identified in another way, or can I locate the serial number in another area, it would be great to find out. We can only guess as to why the numbers in these locations have been peened, surely there would be other references to the serial#

Compare it with pictures of these two sniper rifles:
Milsurps Knowledge Library - 1916/1945 No.1 MkIII* H.T. Sniper Rifle (Medium Bracket)
Milsurps Knowledge Library - 1917/1945 No.1 MkIII* H.T. Sniper Rifle (Short Bracket)

Attachment 64968Attachment 64967Attachment 64966

some photos , hope this works

seems to have , will try some more

For research purposes and comparisons, check the MKL for hundreds of close up pics displayed for both versions of the HT snipers.

1917/1945 No.1 MkIII* H.T. Sniper Rifle (Short Bracket)

1916/1945 No.1 MkIII* H.T. Sniper Rifle (Medium Bracket)

Hope that helps... :cheers:

Regards,
Doug

Attachment 64969Attachment 64970Attachment 64971

photos showing Schnabel fore end, fore sight and side profile.

It would appear to be a low bracket when comparing scope heights.
After looking at other photos the hand engraving on this scope would appear to be "RIFLE" with the rest extremely difficult to make out