A deactivated 1945 "No. 4 Mk. 1/2 (T)" Fazakerley "sniper" rifle is currently (2015-01-21) for sale in the UKicon. I do not have any connection with the seller.

It is a 1945 Fazakerley rifle serial number R11415 with 1944 No. 32 Mk. II scope serial number 15171. It has an M1907 sling. It also has an Ishapore screw indicating service in the Indian military. The sniper swivel is there in front of the magazine. The butt swivel is the MK. I, not the later MK. II as developed for the sniper rifles, enabling the claws of the M1907 sling to fit through it more easily. It is described by the dealer as RARE WW2 1945 MK1 (T) Sniper rifle & 1944 dated No. 32 MK II Telescopic Sight/Scope" GBP 2,200 (USD $3,329; CAD 4,117; AUD $4,126; Euro 2,872).

The seller has copyrighted the photos and description so I cannot reproduce them here. Here is the link, which will eventually break, once the ad listing is removed, so I have included the serial numbers for future reference. JC Militaria | Military Collectables and look under Deactivated Guns, Rifles and Carbines.

* The scope bracket looks like a reproduction to me. No markings are visible on the left but there are numbers on the right side.
* Fazakerley is not noted for having their rifles converted to snipers. In Indian service perhaps anything was possible.
* The "T" has no serifs and looks to me to not be original, but this is not an absolute proof of fakery, simply a concern.
* The screws holding the front pad appear to be the wrong type, having flat heads and they should be domed as far as I know. No stake marks. This is not wrong, but stake marks usually appeared on rifles that saw a lot of service.
* Scope looks to be real and looks like someone has refinished it.

Unknowns:
"TR" stamp?
"S" stamp?
Scope SN on butt? If so, what number(s)?
Rifle SN on fore-stock lengthways?
Rifle SN on butt stock in hidden location?
Enfield examiner's marks on body?
Bolt matching SN to rifle?

I have doubts about this sniper equipment but I only have a paragraph of the seller's description and three photos to work from. Before passing judgment, one would want to know more of course. I would hope that any would-be buyer will do their homework first as there is not enough information in the ad. They should check the unknown details, mentioned above, against the published information on the No. 4 T rifles.

Thoughts?
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