SMLE Oddball Sniper?

[Buccaneer]

I recently bought an SMLE fitted with a Winchester scope center mounted not side mounted as seems to be the norm. The rifle was made by BSA, it's serial number has no prefix or suffix and it carries a South African acceptance mark, broad arrow inside a U and is in very good condition. The scope appears to be commercial Winchester, the only marks on it are X-8and is about 18 inches long. The mount, which I am told was designed by Parker Hale is in fact engraved BSA and appears to be serial numbered to the rifle. I was told from the dealer that I bought it from that it had come from a museum in Brighton (UK) and it had come to them from Iraq some time in the dim and distant past but how true that is I have no idea. Can anyone shed some light on how the rifle came to be in this configeration and who might have done it ? Any additional information about possible date of manufacture of the rifle would be appreciated. Photos attatched.

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