#4 trials "sniper"

[jmoore]

...file marks on the top of the front pad, slightly off-center threaded hole in front pad. The marks made by the shell mill cutter on the front pad are interesting...

Had noted that, previously but keep getting distracted, so no comments until now. The threaded hole has the worst concentricty to the spigot that I've ever seen! Which would imply that the hole was cut in a completely separate operation on this early conversion. Would have to think that the bulk of the spigots and holes were formed in a single operation in H&H production. Easy enough to incorporate a drill in the center of the shell mill when new cutters were made.

The circular marks on the face of the pad are indeed odd. But other machine marks are consistant with Enfield manufactured front pads.

As far as the rest of the rifle is concerned, it seems most appropriate to keep it's WWII or later guise. Just "lose" the cut-off in this case.

ETA: Thinking a bit further, if it was mine, I'd probably set it up to reflect the latest major parts installed. So a birch Post WWII Fazackerly forestock (they seem to be most common, and ought to bed up better than the early WWII "funnel" fore stock). And probably a late Fazackerly cocking piece. With the late barrel, those two items seem more like "artificial enhancements". The scope is kind of expensive to do a swap out, but then a Mk.3 scope would about complete the picture.

But it is what it is. An "Enfield Trials Rifle" action with Enfield scope mounts and most of an unnumbered bracket! The rest is optional and can't easily linked to the military history of the core.

ETA2: The sear is kinda cool, too. Lightened on the underside.