No.32 TP Mk. I scopes

[Surpmil]

The chest is a converted Bren which happened early in the war, but by the end? The chest markings also are non-standard, but then I have never seen a TP sniper chest.

The photos.

[Alan de Enfield]

Interesting spiral groove in the outside of the barrel - out of some factory seconds bin?!

The European & UK 'decativation' requirements continue to evolve I'm not up to date on the lastest requirements but wonder if it may be part of the de-act requirements (ensuring the barrel cannot be used to build a live rifle)

[Roger Payne]

The 'L42' is somewhat puzzling. Clearly not engraved up on the body side wall as would be expected on a 'real' one, yet within the limitations of the photographs the body looks like it might just conceivably be a real 4T. It is an X prefix 1945 BSA rifle which is a commonly seen year & prefix combination in 4T's. It looks like it may have the textured brunofixing remaining on it, & the front pad just looks 'right'. Can't see the rear pad because it is covered by the Pacific Rim repro bracket.

The scope is worth a second look; there appears to be file or linish marks in line with the 'Telescope Sighting' as though this has been engraved over something that was there previously. The scope is dated 1944 & would appear to be a Mk2, yet it bears the Mk1 Optical Stores part number of OS 466A (should read 1650 on a Mk2)....Odd.

Also, the barrel looks a little 'slim' for an L42 barrel, although it may just be an effect of the camera angle or the light.

Again, better photographs would help here.......

[Surpmil]

No question that was once a No4(T) IMHO. Now it's a tragedy or a farce depending on the angle of viewing.

Certainly the first time we've seen a "M" for metres marking on a MkII scope scale - very hush-hush Rhodesian issue no doubt!

[Roger Payne]

Glad we're in agreement....

[Surpmil]

The European & UK 'decativation' requirements continue to evolve I'm not up to date on the lastest requirements but wonder if it may be part of the de-act requirements (ensuring the barrel cannot be used to build a live rifle)

I know nothing about that, but would have thought the damage would be done in the chamber area(?)

Glad we're in agreement....

That's because we're so agreeable!

"You'll soon get used to her looks said he, and a very nice gun you'll find her,
She might easily pass for a '42 in the dusk with the light behind her!"

W.S. Gilbert

[desperatedan]

This dealers sister website had the L”faux-ty two” listed for sale a while back on its own, just the rifle and scope. Looks like they’ve decided to make up the CES and list it on their main site now in the hope of getting silly money for it.

[Roy W]

Re the scope: The second 'I' looks like it may have been added subsequently, it's not in line with the first one.

What is the 'sister site'? out of curiosity.

[desperatedan]

Roy,

It’s here Deactivated Lee Enfield no.4 t Sniper Rifle | no.4 t Sniper Rifle

It’s a shame that they have some less than correct items as they do get some interesting stuff on their main website - PIAT or an AIM9 Sidewinder anyone?

[Lee Enfield]

...snip... The only interesting aspect, ...snip..., is the "ZA" marking below the boltway so proudly outlined in white.

...snip...

Not to comment on the originality of the rifle nor it's markings, but:

ZA- 1234x is in fact a Zimbabwe military property marking/serial number - just like RA-1234x was a Rhodesian military property marking.

a quick interweb search turned up a number of FN-FAL rifles with ZA-XxXxX and RA-XxXxX numbers - it appears that the Zimbabwe forces only brought the ZA numbering into use on newly aquired weaponry as the photos I foound show a mixed bag of number series. FN FAL receiver G1 German Army gun parts original