An Armourer's Perspective: .303 No. 4 (T) Sniper Rifle and the H&H Connection

Recently purchased the book and had an opportunity to read it over a long business flight across the Pacific. Let me begin by thanking Peter (and contributors) for a job well done! I'm sure that it was pain staking effort to compile the infomation within the book and agree with Dougie Maber who stated "Peter's work desrves a place on the shelf of every sniping buff and historian." Agreed.

Question... since the books publication in 1993, have any new facts come to light as a result of informaiton posted on this site, uncovered new records, new sources (people) providing intput, etc.? If so, what was learned?

Chapter 21 - An Armourer's Postscript was an interesting read in regard to what makes a T original and the path it has taken over the course of the years (e.g., 3 ton lorry).

Thanks for that Mojo..... LOTS of new things have come to light and much more wasn't included due to space restrictions. Indeed, one thing/correction came to light while it was actually being published. But like all books, what you're reading was 'as-then' as they say. And you quickly learn that the first person who reads your book immediately knows more than you (yes, they really believe it too.........) and are keen to make it known. That's because they immediately know ALL that you have written PLUS the tiny bit they knew before!

Loads more of the actual conversion part, which I thought would be pretty academic, were left out for fear of bogging the book down and overrunning the size spec.

Still Peter it would not be a bad thing to say have an appendix version with the information that was forgone in yours and Ian's first go as I would certainly buy it to accompany Vol 1
I do not profess boundless fonts of knowledge on 303's and shy away from people at the range who know it all and their weapon matches their yap and won't group worth a frozen maggot on a Christmas cake but what I do have a healthy respect for;
A) A persons hard won experience in an oft frustrating trade as I am sure there were mongrel 303's that defied all the written laws and just would not behave real rogues and these stories need to be told as there may be a lesson there somewhere.
B) People who honestly help others with generosity of their hard won experiences in weaponry.

I have a healthy respect for the 303's and got the passion from my uncle when I was about 11-12 who had a cut down and scoped Lee Metford just the noise and the size of those rounds it certainly flattened the roo's he shot for our consumption.
My Uncle often recounted when we were around a camp fire on those cold summer nights we get in the wheat belt how he did not follow the course of fire and discharged the 303 grenade launcher from the shoulder whether it was true or false I did not care he was my uncle and did serve but not over seas.
But one thing I do know he was a shearer and started shearing when he was 15 y/o and finally stopped when he was 80 y/o I used to roust about for him and pen up anyone who can do that job for 65 years has got to be respected and he got plenty of that from me.

Anway I got lost yes Peter an additional book would be good.........:thup:

I agree with Cinders, a new edition would be fantastic Peter. I am not a sniper rifle aficionado, but enjoy good information pleasantly presented with style - you have plenty of both. :thup:

+1 for a new edition or an update - Have read the book many times and can't thank Peter enough for all the hard work. Made buying my 4T much easier and less stressful.

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Loads more of the actual conversion part, which I thought would be pretty academic, were left out for fear of bogging the book down and overrunning the size spec

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The more "anorackish" the better, as far as I'm concerned. Can't tell you how many hours we spent poring over old Curtiss drawings and old factory photos of assembly jigs when doing P40 work. Some of us just can't get enough of the manufacturing side of things. Not everybody's cup o' joe, granted...

Peter, as this is my first post, I wish to thank you for all your articles and your book. As an Enfield service rifle shooter and enthusiast, your knowledge offered is gold. But I must ask you about the second last paragraph in "An armourer's perspective" regarding new barrel alignment with scope / pads - re a method that could and did cure it. What was that method?
I am currently building up a clone of an L42A1 (wish I could afford a real one) and realize that it won't affect me as I will machine the pads ala H&H. Just want to know what your method was. Thanks again. :)

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Originally Posted by ESRC

Peter, as this is my first post, I wish to thank you for all your articles and your book. As an Enfield service rifle shooter and enthusiast, your knowledge offered is gold. But I must ask you about the second last paragraph in "An armourer's perspective" regarding new barrel alignment with scope / pads - re a method that could and did cure it. What was that method?
I am currently building up a clone of an L42A1 (wish I could afford a real one) and realize that it won't affect me as I will machine the pads ala H&H. Just want to know what your method was. Thanks again. :)

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they bent the barrel to suite to scope mount...not something I would recommend.

Bend the barrel........ I don't think so!

As an example of too much info (not).

I am trying to accurise/maintain my target modded Enfields for target work. Such detail isnt copious and when I talk the the "oldies" they say well such and such was a wizz, as was Joe's brother, dead now of course". rinse and repeat.

Peter, you are probably one of the last to have such history of the T's in your head, or in your files, it would/will be a shame to lose it.

Oh and personally I love [re-]reading such detail.



regards

I purchased a copy of this booklet about 15 years ago on a chance encounter at milarm in Edmonton. I think I may have paid $35 for it. Foolishly, I passed it on to someone else over the years. Reading this thread made me realize I needed a fresh copy. To my horror, the inflation on this book has become as incredible as anything else with the word sniper on it. Book sellers are commanding prices of around $300 for it, or worse. I finally found a copy from the UK at a more reasonable price, but once the exchange rate is factored along with postage, it came to around $85.

I hope you do print up another run of them Peter, and put all the scalpers in their place.

How about going one better and having a revised and expanded e-book version for say, $20.? They'd sell like the proverbial hot cakes I suspect.

It is a terrible terrible book.........it has cost me thousands upon thousands of dollars.

Each time I read it, and I read it often, I find that I am compelled to seek out and purchase even more to add to my meagre collection.

If it was not for that little book, I doubt that I would own:
2 No 4(T) rifles
A handful of No32 sights
A couple of scope tins
A useless little adjustment tool
The list goes on and on, typing it all here would mean admitting how much I have "collected."

I've even got a little brush for a L42a1 but no rifle. After reading the book I "needed" the brush. I'm sure if I read the evil little book again, i will need to buy the matching rifle.

So Peter please please ugently print a second volume, so that I can stop reading the very slightly evil first volume.

Paul:madsmile:

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Originally Posted by paulseamus

It is a terrible terrible book.........it has cost me thousands upon thousands of dollars.

Each time I read it, and I read it often, I find that I am compelled to seek out and purchase even more to add to my meagre collection.

If it was not for that little book, I doubt that I would own:
2 No 4(T) rifles
A handful of No32 sights
A couple of scope tins
A useless little adjustment tool
The list goes on and on, typing it all here would mean admitting how much I have "collected."

I've even got a little brush for a L42a1 but no rifle. After reading the book I "needed" the brush. I'm sure if I read the evil little book again, i will need to buy the matching rifle.

So Peter please please ugently print a second volume, so that I can stop reading the very slightly evil first volume.

Paul:madsmile:

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And I thought I was crook.:sos::help:

No Bindii.........you are a crook:lol::rofl::lol:

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Originally Posted by muffett.2008

No Bindii.........you are a crook:lol::rofl::lol:

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Takes one to know another one. :lol::D:thup:

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Originally Posted by paulseamus

A useless little adjustment tool

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I could not disagree more. The tool works and works well. It just (like so many other things) requires a little practice. Plus, as I nave noted before, a securely clamped rifle.

Sorry to disagree Beery! From my limited experience with BOTH adjusting tools, I would simply ask, if they were both - even moderately successful, then why were they both declared obsolescent and replaced with the little tools illustrated in the back of the book? The only other tool that came close to it was the tool to remove the extractor plunger on the L1A1 rifle

The tool that I am referring to Peter is the cylindrical one with a central pin for holding the central screw steady while locking the outer ring. It's not easy to use but far from impossible and does get easier with practice.

BTW, I've PM'd you about an entirely different gun.

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Originally Posted by stencollector

I purchased a copy of this booklet about 15 years ago on a chance encounter at milarm in Edmonton. I think I may have paid $35 for it. Foolishly, I passed it on to someone else over the years. Reading this thread made me realize I needed a fresh copy. To my horror, the inflation on this book has become as incredible as anything else with the word sniper on it. Book sellers are commanding prices of around $300 for it, or worse. I finally found a copy from the UK at a more reasonable price, but once the exchange rate is factored along with postage, it came to around $85.
...snip...

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I bought both of my "armourers perspective" copies at Milarm, the paperback copy which is full of oily fingerprints, and the hardbound copy I bought to replace it when the original was lent out and lost....luckily it found it's way back home eventually.

I got my copy of the "little scope booklet" from Pete Bloom....also lent out...no current idea as to whom, sadly not returned, and not yet replaced.

The mark of a good book is what percentage of the pages are oil smudged from comparing a physical example to the paper example....I've started to believe that one should purchase 2 copies of books which will be used in such circumstances...

speaking of book price "inflation", has anyone (other than myself) attempted to source a replacement copy of "The British Sniper"? Obviously I should have simply purchased 20-30 copies back in the 90s and just sat on them until now...I could probably pay off my mortgage with the procedes.

I thought I was the only one with one copy relegated to the workbench!! I know about greasy pages too! I still have copies of the telescope booklet available if in need. It's a must have if you intend to actually use these rifles and the telescope.

If you think some of Skennerton's books have appreciated, try some of Dolf Goldsmiths... The Vickers book especially. (The Grand Old Lady of No Man's Land)
The reprinting of books is not as simple as one thinks. It all depends on who holds the copyright. Many times the author has a co author and they might hold the copyright and will NOT allow a second printing. A book in demand is worth more than a printed book. When trying to sell a publishing company or determine the net value of the assets, a book with a demand is worth more than one already published as the published book will be discounted about 70% PLUS towards the assets.
The world of publishing is a big bad world as I think many have found out in trying to get a book published.
Many authors pay thousands to see their works in print.
E-Books just don't cut it with me. Falling asleep with a laptop or monitor on my face is not a nice thought and no place to put the "stickies" for a quick reference.
Hopefully we might see the new highly anticipated Bren Gun book before paper disappears off the face of the earth.

Agree with you 100% Warren. I am not ready to give up on the shelves of books quite yet.

Just had a look at recent prices and offerings of "grand old lady of no man's land" and it would appear to run around at least $500 or more these days. The devil's paintbrush, on the other hand, is still available for the reasonable price of $79, although there do seem to be a few sellers trying to multiply that value.

To heck with investing in sniper rifles....I think there is a greater return on books.

Last year I visit USA and try to find one copy....no luck
I wish that this book will be on sale soon
the ebook could be a good idea for those like me who live in a country where is not available (saves the times of delivery shipping cost and import taxes).