No. 4 T Sniper. Opinions please

[mdarnell19]

Hello everyone,
I have this No. 4 T sniper and would like your opinions please. My main questions are, is the rifle serial number on the stock war time? And is the serial number on the scope mount war time? Both look slightly different to me from other examples I have seen. Also, most examples I see have several inspection stamps by the rifle serial number in the stock. This one has none. But my experience with British rifles is very limited. Thank you in advance for you help. It is greatly appreciated.

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Information

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[Roy W]

Looks good to me, an all matching late production rifle.

[Micheal Doyne]

Looks great, is it for sale?

[Seaforth72]

I agree that it looks fine. Late WWII. I have not seen the 1956 labels before but that is not a concern as these rifles remained in service for decades. You are lucky that it is a matching set as many sniper equipments were sold surplus with the incorrect scope sets. The carrying straps were often removed from the scope cases, apparently in service, so that is not a concern. EDIT: Chest carrying handles have been replaced by web dandles, but this looks like it was done in service so I suggest leaving them rather than putting on replica leather handles. I updated my database listing for this one, previously had sold in June 2016.

One tip - Do not store the desiccant package in the No.8 Mk.I scope case. Another owner’s set had this done decades ago and his leather scope caps had dried and shrivelled. Desiccant bag should be fine in the bottom of the No.15 Mk.I chest, say on left near under the muzzle, not in contact with the leather sling.

[Seaforth72]

You have acquired one of the nicest examples of a No. 4 Mk. I (T) out there. As mentioned few of these have the scope set matching the rifle and far fewer have the chest numbered to the rifle as well. Be very happy!

The No. 15 Mk. I chests were reassigned as needed, which is why it has the paper label on the metal holder on the end. The chests were used for long-term storage and for shipping. One rifle might be shipped from the UK to Germany for example and if another No. 4 Mk. I (T) needed to be sent back to the UK for repairs etc. they would simply change the paper label and ship the other sniper set back to the UK in the chest. It was extremely rare for rifle/scope numbers to be painted directly onto the chest. From what I have seen this was usually done post-war when the set was held by a police unit or perhaps another NATO military force. Sometimes private owners have added permanent serial numbers numbers to the chest for their rifle and this has also been done on replica chests.

[GeeRam]

That's a wonderful 4T.....

[mdarnell19]

Thank you all for your help. Like I mentioned, I didn’t doubt if it is real. Just curious is the numbered mount and numbered stock were war time or post war rebuild numbering. Thanks!!! Keep the info coming. I’m interested in learning more about these.

---------- Post added at 05:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:58 PM ----------

FYI for those interested, my main interest is WWII German and Russian sniper rifles. I created a website about such rifles.

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[Scout Sniper]

Very nice indeed! British M47 BSA, lovely condition...

[mdarnell19]

So another question, I posted this on gunboards and a few members have stated that the mag and mount were numbered post war because mags were not numbered during WWII. Is this true?

[Lee Enfield]

So another question, I posted this on gunboards and a few members have stated that the mag and mount were numbered post war because mags were not numbered during WWII. Is this true?

Long Branch No4 T snipers appear to have had the Rings (partially at least) numbered right from "day 1".

My understanding is that the instruction to number the rings of British No4 T rifles was issued in 1946 or '47, but the British "List of Changes" and contract instructions are well known for issuing retroactive instructions.

My belief, based on observation and limited experience is that by mid- 1944 H&H was numbering rings (on their own hook) and the ACI/List of Changes instruction to do so was issued retroactively post war.

Does anyone (Roger/Lance/Rob ??) Have a late MkII, MkII/I or Mk3 scope in its original bracket which is not numbered?

As to the magazines, most (but not all) No4T mags (which appear to be original to the gun) which I've observed are numbered - but again, this is a replaceable part.