New Enfield sniper, all matching including scope and mount. Lots of photos

I just got this today. A nice, "been there", "T" sniper, that appears to be all correct and complete with it's transit chest having the rifles serial number stenciled on the cover and a 1944 date with the chest makers name stamped on one side. Carrying straps are cloth machine gun ammo belts. Everything matches except the two scope cases. It has the England stamp on the strap but no "tonage" export stamps near the muzzle.


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Very nice

Today must have been like Christmas for you!!

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations ... :thup:

Nice looking old girl ..... :cheers:

Regards,
Badger

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Badger

Congratulations ... :thup:

Nice looking old girl ..... :cheers:

Regards,
Badger

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Thanks fellows, I'm really happy with it. Had to dig into the bank account a bit to get it, but I promised the wife I would replace the money after I sold some other guns. Maybe she'll forget that pledge you think? :D.

Yes the old gal has that well used been there, done that look as finish is worn from being carried/used a lot and the stock has obtained that beautiful well handled but not abused look.
Ray

On the chest, the IV indicates the Issue Voucher number which was RSG (returned Stores Group) L- B1 which is a vocab prefix for a rifle, indicating that it is valuable and attractive and there for to be locked up, and 50 is very probably/possibly the year of issue/return/disposal

There, another little bit of useless info to add to its history

Thanks Peter. No way is it useless info to me, Ray

Here are the photos. I'm not sure how authentic the paper glued on the inside of the lid on the Mk I scope case is with the scope and rifle serial numbers. That's why I didn't say the case matched. Here are the photos. It looks fairly old and could have been put there in service or added post service. Ray


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Just curious, does anyone know who these contractors were?
Front sight, S232,
Middle band, S126

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S126 : C.E. Welstead, Croydon
S232 : G.S. Mascalls & Sons, London
VNS : Viners Ltd. Sheffield, England
WL : Wilkinsons Ltd.

http://home.earthlink.net/~smithkaia8/id3.html

finlog, thank you for the info and the site. Ray

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Originally Posted by rayg

no "tonage" export stamps near the muzzle.

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As a matter of interest, they aren't "export stamps" as such. They are civilian Proof Marks. Military Proof does not count under English Law.

Thanks beer hunter. I probably shouldn't have said "export". For I understand, any rifle staying, entering or leaving England has to be proofed or reproofed even if some government proofed them before including the military. Is that correct?
And the "England" stamp was added when the rifle was sent/sold/loaned by the military to another countries military.
Possibly my rifle came via Canada or else early on, out of England before the commerical proof system was implemented which I believe was some time in the 1950's. Ray

verry nice rifle

There is a beautiful all matching Enfield sniper on Auction Arms.
Much nicer condition then mine is.
One thing though, I now feel that the numbers are my scope case may be correct and done while in service as the format listing the serial numbers is similar to way they are shown on the one on auction. I feel fairly comfortable in stating that my rifle, chest and scope case all are all matching,
The one on the right is mine, it's a little more aged looking then the photo shows and also the scope case it is in has a rubber type seal that makes it air and water tight which probably contributed to perserving the tag better. My other scope can does not have such a seal. Ray
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Well I had only a limited time to go to the range today due other comittments but I had to find out how the "T" would do. Only fired 11 rds total, with SA military ammo including three groups of three rds. each at 50 yds. Now I know three rd groups at 50 yrds don't tell too much but it at least by firing three seperate groups it shows a fairly consistent ability for the rifle to hold a pattern/group. All groups measured 5/8". I don't plan on shooting it again as I have a couple of "T"s I usually shoot. But I just wanted to satisfy myself that it's still an accurate rifle, Ray.
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Nice shooting Ray ... :clap:

... and again, a very nice No.4(T)... take good care of her for future generations .. :thup:

Regards,
Badger