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Its been a few weeks now that I got my #4 Mk.1 (T) with chest and I have searched the web for other examples. In that time I haven't seen any others as interesting as mine (my opinion).
There has got to be others with unique, historical or just cool markings out there. Lets see yours.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...dgyijjjs-1.jpg
sharp looking firearm
None as exciting as yours but:
Ex-bren chest converted to fit a T, paper tag inside is in Greek
Evening wear, basic black
Bright green, maybe because they wanted to get rid of the paint
Very rare ex-No. 3 Mk I*(T)A converted to hold a No. 4 T. (check out Badgers original rifle at: Milsurps Knowledge Library - No.3 MkI* (T)A Sniper Rifle - (Pattern 1914 Mk1* W (T)A Sniper Rifle))
And a summary of chests for comparison
Plus Lance has 2 more fancy cases to add to that picture:super:
Nothing special but it's the only one I have. Don't know about the rifle in it but the chest at least served with the Queens Lancashire Regiment and the Coldstream Guards during it's service life.
:thup: Very nice! Lets see how many pics of chests and markings we can get in this thread. Keep them coming. Marked and unmarked and all variations like above.
Here are a couple of older shots of some Canadian Sniper chests I found mixed in with regular Cno7 chests out at my favorite surplus yard.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hets0002-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...erc10011-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hets0009-1.jpg
The BEST ones must be those covered by layers of paint. They tell the whole story. Alas, all is lost when you strip the paint away, layer by layer, with acetone to read the history.
I keep the middle L42a1 mostly for the transit chest:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...56c25c2c-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC01729-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC01732-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC01733-1.jpg
Old photos for many of y'all, but haven't much in the way of new.
Love this thread!!
Here are my 4T and L42 cases. I took the plunge and started working the paint with acetone. On the 4T case, I found the "Woolwich Arsenal" stencil. End tag matches my rifle serial #. Also kept the original receipt from the previous owner when he ordered it from the Hunters Lodge. Check out that price!
On the L42 transit case, the acetone revealed a previous rifle/scope combination. The paper end-tag matches the rifle and scope. I didnt venture any deeper through the paint. There are many more coats, and I didnt want to lose its history as Mr Laidler pointed out.
This one appeals to me.
Attachment 62970Attachment 62971Shipping labels on a different chest from 1959
The acetone did a good job enabling the original stenciling to show.
Here's the chest I have that goes with and is numbered to the all correct and matching rifle, scope, and scope case I have. The chest has lots of lettering and stamps that Peter had translated. Hope I copied his info correct. Along with the rifles serial stenciled on it and other stenciled numbers it has a “IV” indicating the Issue Voucher number which was RSG (returned Stores Group,) an L- B1 which is a vocab prefix for a rifle, indicating that it is valuable and must be locked up, and a number 50 which is possibly the year of return/disposal. There are other stenciled stamps on the chest including a large “Stores” and there is the chest manufacturers name and 1944 date stamped on the side of the chest. The original leather carrying straps have been period replaced with canvas machine gun ammo belts. There also is the list of contents that are supposed to be in the chest glued on the inside cover of the chest . Ray
Attachment 62972Attachment 62973Attachment 62974Attachment 62975Attachment 62976Attachment 62977Attachment 62978Attachment 62979
Both rifle and the scope's serial numbers are stenciled on the chest and also on a paper glued inside the scope can. Nice it all stayed together with the rifle. Ray
Attachment 62999
Plus I have the rifle and scope, albeit a bit well used and beat up but complete
Ransford was head of the British purchasing commission during WW II in both New York and Canada. He seems a bit of an enigma as little is know of him and his work other than reference in the Canadian Inspection department diaries.
Numerous requests for info to the UK have fallen on deaf ears, however Mk. VII came through as usual and I did receive some interesting material on Ransford from him.
ok, can I play?
A couple of these pics have been up here before.
Attachment 63000Attachment 63001Attachment 63002Attachment 63003Attachment 63004Attachment 63005Attachment 63006Attachment 63007
We got your request at Warminster Warren and be assured that it didn't fall on deaf ears. Simply that we had nothing on him except a photograph of him in the early 30's with a group taken during the Bren trials. As for the photo......... It's in the US with the rest of the Bren book papers!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Son
Has anyone seen a box similar to the above that apparently was for two Pattern 14 snipers ???
It is mentioned in some manuals and took two rifles with scopes but to my knowledge no one has seen on in captivity.
"Brigadier Ernest Merrill Ransford, CBE, veteran of the Great War, diedQuote:
Originally Posted by Warren
30 July, 2002, at Aldringham, Suffolk, at the great age of 105.
He was born in 1897, the son of Dr J.E. Ransford, of Birkdale,
Lancashire, and was educated at Clifton and the Royal Military
College.
Ransford was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Suffolk Regiment in
1916, served in the Great War, 1914-18, and the War of 1939-45 (UK,
Canada and the USA), Lieutenant-Colonel, 1940; Colonel, 1941;
Brigadier, 1944; retired from the army, 1952.
He was an Officer of the Legion of Merit, USA. He was appointed CBE in
1951.
His home at Aldeburgh, Suffolk was Way O'The Wind.
Brig. Ransford married in 1923, Janet Mary, (deceased), daughter of Dr
W.F.A. Clowes, of Colchester. There was one son of the marriage,
Richard (deceased), and one daughter, Cilla.
The funeral service is at Aldeburgh Parish Church, Suffolk, Wednesday
7 August, 2002, at 2 p.m."
Try Google;
seems to have been an interesting fellow.
There is a collection at the IWM which was apparently donated by him.
Recommendation for Award for Ransford, Ernest M Rank: Brigadier Regiment: ... | The National Archives
Wow! Never seen the like before. I especially like the last pic how you have it displayed, gives me ideas.Quote:
Originally Posted by Son
Keep them coming everyone. We want more!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
Actually my request was with TonyE who unfortunately is no longer with us. Never got a response from Warminister, other than a "thank you" for the donation of items I sent them some time ago.
With Tony's demise went a wealth of info that is probably unsurpassed anywhere in the field of munitions. He also was one of the best arms researchers I have ever had the privilege of knowing along with Taylerson, Labett, Woodend and others. RIP old friends.
Ransford was indeed a colourful character and most of what I did find on him is in the annals of the Military Inspection Services of Canada.
Once I get some time to get back to the forum and also scan some documents I have on Ransford, I will post them.
Interesting chest and interesting rifle........
Did anyone see Ebay item:181745556788 the other day?...
Paul.
Less telescope marked too, Ray
Wow, amazing!
Anyone know how to save the page here for future views?
Here is another one. Original WWII British Enfield No4 T Sniper Wood Rifle Chest | eBayQuote:
Originally Posted by Sniper1944
TerryLee all lithgows in that case.Quote:
Originally Posted by Terrylee
Bindi, Unfortunately not all. Some time since I took that photo. Probably, two or three. I can at least recognize my My 1915 Mk.III in the bottom row. Have a very soft spot for Lithgows. Have five altogether.
That's OK TerryLee mine is , was just asking.
You know the rules, mate... If we don't see it, it don't exist.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bindi2
Time to get a photographer in :sos::sos::sos:
Just knew you would chisel in. That's OK its on the top of a sea container with a broken rope handle from when two of us put it up there with me being underneath when the rope broke. Just need some sisal and somebody who can splice whilst it is up there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Son
Being under when rope broke.That can't be fun .
So where did his papers end up? 2002! What a pity no one got to him with a tape recorder in time. Any members in the UK want to follow up and see if he left an unpublished manuscript? Stranger things have happened.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Enfield
Funeral in Suffolk, was in The Suffolk Regt, presumably lived in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. I'd suggest a good place to start is at the old RHQ of The Suffolk Regt! From a quick browse through Tom Davies's 'Britain and the Thompson gun' given the vast amount of info available at The National Archive, I'd say that's the place for someone with a LOT of time on his hands to start.
But, as they say in researchers circles....... You become a poor researcher by starting off as a rich one! Because nobody pays you!
Very true Peter, but these days it's the cost of accessing files.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
All these Archives and research facilities charge for the service.
I estimate that just to look at the files I think would help with the info I seek, I would be out of pocket about 10k, but theres no guarantee that all those files have information pertinant to my research, it's a bit of a gamble, specially the unopened files that need security vetting first.
Very nice. Wish i could find one like that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Terrylee
I understand that most of the UK lend lease files are still restricted here. Said to be because when the money ran out and the gold had been exhausted, the US were allowing us unlimited credit in a form of pre lend lease but without the formalities of asking congress or........ whatever else you have to do. Bless 'em!
Yep, the place to start is the local Aldeburgh newspaper and Regt Museum of the Suffolk Regt.
Surely some of the BEST transit chests must be those with a perspex front. No?
It was not so long ago the War debt was paid off, can't remember if it was before or after the interest rate hit rock bottom and the banks ran out of money......Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler