Source for Trials No. 4 T scope bases?

Now that I finally managed to get the correct scope rings for the other Enfield sniper, I may now try to recomplete the other one.

This particular rifle also turned up among a batch of No. 4 snipers, but it was the only Trials rifle and therefore - despite the missing scope bases and the missing cheek pad - I had to get it.

The bolt, receiver and also the stock, which however appears to be a replacement (beech?), are matching numbers. The front sight protector also appears to be correct, but I am looking for more experienced guys to tell me if I'm correct on this too?

Now to the difficult part: where can I get bases for this rifle? I know that trials bases are additionally marked on top, but would also normal bases fit this rifle, or were trials bases of different dimensions?

The same applies to the cheek pad, but here is more the question if I'm also fine to go with a reproduction cheek pad? Do they also fit original No. 4 T stocks, and do the pre-drilled holes also align with the holes of an original No. 4 T rifle?

And last, if someone here has scope 18905, it appears that it was once mated to my rifle...

Order them from Fultons of Bisley - G E Fulton Son. They are as near to perfect as damn is to swearing.

As for the cheek rest. The first trials ones weren't fitted with a cheek rest. The first cheek rests were developed for the No3 snipers and fitted to all thereafter. The fit/interface was designed for the No3 rifle and that's why they are not a good fit on the No4 rifle butt without some good hand fitting.

If I had to fit a set of pads like you have to, I'd get a set WITHOUT the screw holes. Set them up on the rifle mark the holes exactly from the INSIDE and then drill and countersink. That way you know that the screw holes will align exactly, first time.

How did they get them off the receiver Peter it just looks rough as guts something a back of Bourke farmer would do......

Correct me if I am wrong but it looks to be sporting a MkIII mag as I cannot see where any of my No.4 mags have that spring at the bottom or is that something unique to the trials rifles always eager to learn. TIA

No, it is a SMLE mag Cinders, although some early No4 mags were converted from No1 mags by having the rib down the back shortened to No4 profile. However, they are readily distinguishable from run of production No4 mags as they still have the flutes that run right down to the bottom on the side of the mag.

Looks like someone just knocked the pads off with a (brass) drift and sheared the screws as they did so.

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Looks like someone just knocked the pads off with a (brass) drift and sheared the screws as they did so.

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I can't even imagine being so clumsy with one of these. No matter whatever else is seen at the time, they almost look like artwork. Unless someone was pilfering the blocks I can't imagine leaving the rifle in that state. I wonder if they heated them to reduce the solder first, otherwise you could about beat the loop of the front mount out of shape...before it lets go.

Most don't even realize that the pads are soldered as well as screwed on. They just have to get their trusty screw driver and bugger the screws that probably don't need to be touched in the first place.

Years ago Numrich sold real No4T pad sets for, IIRC less than 20 bucks a set. one corner of the front pads had a mark from where the pads were chiseled off the side of the receiver. Should have bought more of those sets.

I used one set to restore a Savage No4T that had the pads removed. Got correct thread form and pitch screws from a Austin Healy/MGB parts house. Screwed/soldered the pads on, the holes on the pads and receiver lined up perfectly.

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Originally Posted by Hal O'Peridol

a mark from where the pads were chiseled off the side of the receiver.

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That's sad. It's so easy to heat them a touch and dislodge them...no damage...

The way they were removed suggests either 3rd world country or a civilian bubba, which might give some slight hope of finding the pads if you could track back to the previous owners.

If Bubba had hammered or chiseled off the pads one would expect some visible collateral damage, so my guess would be he torqued the screws until they broke, and having got them out and found the pads would not budge, "the light went on" dimly, and he realized solder was involved and so used enough heat to get the pads off over the screw stubs.

Could this effort have been connected with an attempt to fit PH "Enforcer" type bases as I think you alluded to there being some rifles so fitted in the same lot as this rifle was in?

Stock looks to be off a 3L Long Branch and from the state of the scope number on the wrist, it's been on there a long time.

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Originally Posted by Brian Dick

Order them from Fultons of Bisley - G E Fulton Son. They are as near to perfect as damn is to swearing.

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Looking at the pads on Fulton's site,the front pad appears to have a rebate or a shelf on the top part of the pad,like the mill cutting the bevelled edge has left a step.
Do any WW2 pads exhibit this feature?

I would imagine that if they are like this (thread 12), they're to show in the future that they ain't real - and nor is the rifle they're on presumably!