1933 Trials sniper

[Roger Payne]

Looks like it was off a Maltby rifle.

[superbee]

You are correct!A 1941 maltby.

[stencollector]

Well I stand corrected on the bracket numbers! I'm wondering why it was thought desirable to be able to read the previous numbers? Not great psychology to issue a soldier a rifle that looks like it was assembled from used parts IMHO, but...

Leaving the old number visible prevents theft and philandering. I have seen the rule in print re Canadian Forces guns, and I am sure it would have been the same for British service. If, for example, a receiver was re-used to repair a different rifle, the original number would have been barred out (but still legible) and the new number stamped. If a rifle is found with the serial obliterated or signs of tampering, then the rifle was to be backloaded to 3rd line for determination.

This prevented someone from playing musical chairs with equipment through exchange or outright theft.

It is notable that this rule was not followed for the recycled Cno7 receivers which were burnished of their numbers and returned to stores. There were several hundred "like new" barrelled no4mk1* receivers available from the CFSS (non accountable...go figure) which were still complete with their serials.

[Surpmil]

Yes, I can the logic in that where receivers are concerned, but scope mounts not so much...

Wasn't our CF system 'famous' for having un-numbered receivers available to order however? Makes the SOP you mention a bit pointless doesn't it?

[chosenman]

My 1931 trials T bracket, previous number is clearly X'd out. I can just make out 31030 but I think its safe to say the intention was to obliterate the numbers.

[Gil Boyd]

Thanks for that Steve, first one I've seen like that, and would have been a right clout several times to obliterate deeply seated numbers with those x's

[Surpmil]

A closely related thread: Of the 1500 No4 trials rifles converted to snipers

[rayg]

here is another one that sold last fall to compare it by.

LOT #1402 - ENFIELD NO. 4 MK1 T BRITISH SNIPER BOLT ACTION

Anyone notice the receiver on the one above was not cut out for a cutoff. Most of the Trials I've seen had the cut off. Maybe during the Trials they decided to eliminate the cutoff on some. Ray

[superbee]

I say it was still cut,just hidden behind the high cut replacement wood.

[stencollector]

Yes, I can the logic in that where receivers are concerned, but scope mounts not so much...

Wasn't our CF system 'famous' for having un-numbered receivers available to order however? Makes the SOP you mention a bit pointless doesn't it?

Scopes and brackets) are quite desirable, back then as much as now. When I was working as a civlian contractor overseas, I saw a few civilian contractors horsetrading for acog or eotech scopes, and even for PAQ-15 lasers, thinking they were going to use them for moose hunting. I am pretty sure they were disappointed in the end.

I had seen receivers come out of the supply system, but just as often as not they had numbers barred out on them. There is a SMG C-1 at the local museum with two or three serial numbers on it. I have seen ex-Cdn sten examples with the original number neatly barrel out and a newer number added. My example of an early LongBranch sten (0L18) was one of these....fortunately the barring was light and the gun was able to be restored as an early example (dewat of course).

I do remember as a young corporal in the 80s, helping the supply tech pull his redundant stock from the bin trucks. There were two wooden boxes with brand new Inglis hipower frames packed in 40 year old grease. Things like that were not supposed to be at a first line unit.