Enfield Sniper Parts

[Old Gunner]

I recently gained a later model Enfield Rifle. The manufacture year is 1948 and it is a Mk 4. I was wondering about the correct scope mount, scope, and cheek piece to make a "clone" of the sniper/target variant of this rifle. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Information

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[Chuckindenver]

try your post on the SMLE board...

[JGaynor]

Reproduction scope base pads, mounts, and cheek pieces have shown up on ebay from time to time as "kits" for about $150. if i recall (that may not have included the mount)

There has been talk of someone making a cosmetic copy of the No. 32 scope but I don't know if that ever came to fruition.

Trying to make a clone with real GI parts is rarely cost effective.

Regards,

Jim

[Dan Wilson]

SARCO sells reproduction mounts and pads for your rifle, I dont know of anybody making a scope yet though.

[OxfordAndy]

old gunner - I'm doing the same at the moment with a 1944 Long Branch. I will have this rifle in as close to "as issued condition " as possible (similar to my Miltech 98k Sniper clone)

It is NOT a cheap project - the rifle is the easy part - the big pain was the scope/carry tin.

I have sourced the parts over a period of time from both Ebay and elsewhere (mainly in the UK):

1 x No4 '44 Lomg Branch (FTR'r at Fazakerley 1953) : £399.00
1 x N032 MkIII £1,600
1 x repro Scope bracket : £100
2 x spare sets of thumbscrew springs £20
1 x Sniper Cheekrest plus brass screws : £20.00
1 x set of scope pads and correct 4BA screws : £75.00
1 x Additional slng loop (triangular) : £ 30.00
1 x Turner 1907 "historic" sling : £45.00 (preferred to get a modern sling than an old Boyt just to be safe)
1 x No8 Mk1 Carry Tin : £ OUCH!! Too embarrssed to say how much!
1 x Mint Canvas Cover (Khaki) : £40.00
1 x No4 Cleaning kit (mint) : £30.00
1 x.303 Chamber cleaning stick : £20.00

Pretty much the only bits I need to complete the "kit" is a transit chest (already speaking to Rick Grant about one of his modern replicas) and a spotting scope (easier to find rocking horse pooh I think!)

I have yet to get a firm estimate from my smith for the work to put this together and any refinishing....but I'm guessing it could easily run to £500+

I'm probably mad doing this but financially I'm still going to be in front compared to the cost of a genuine No4T and,scope aside, I have the peace of mind knowing that most parts are reasonably "replaceable" if the worst were to happen and, most importantly, I'm not going to be risking an irreplaceable and important rifle everytime I take it out.

[Alan de Enfield]

I'm probably mad doing this but financially I'm still going to be in front compared to the cost of a genuine No4T and,scope aside, I have the peace of mind knowing that most parts are reasonably "replaceable" if the worst were to happen and, most importantly, I'm not going to be risking an irreplaceable and important rifle everytime I take it out.

Financially I have to disagee - you can pick up a complete. original 4T with all acessories (spotting scope, scope adjusters, bren parts tin, sling, scope tin. scope etc) and a transit case for around £3000/£3500.
Add up what you've spent so far £2,400 + scope tin + gunsmiths fees and you are over the price of an original 4T
If you want to know where you can get £3k / £3.5K 4T's drop me a PM

[OxfordAndy]

Thanks Alan , I appreciate the offer and I'd love an original but I'm well into this project now and when I looked last time i was finding original rifles with all the kit starting around £4.5k.

At Bisley during the Phoenix prices for "clones" seemed to be around £2,500 and upwards for what I thought were pretty average condition or worse.

if I were to get a specific piece to "collect" later I'd certainly take up your offer.

[Peter Laidler]

I'm suprised you say that the scout reg scopes are rare/expensive. They regularly appear on that auction site. Get one with a cracked or broken OG lens as I have some spares. Not chep but............ There is a 'new' Watson Mk2 scope on there right now that seems relatively cheap

[gjwardman]

I am trying to build the same thing...but more for the aesthetics than the ugly commercial mount that they sell.
I found cheek pieces and reproduction mounts on ebay. I have bought a cheek piece and it fits well. I'm kinda chicken to drill into my stock until I have the right screws (looking for some nice brass ones).
The same guy that has the scope mount on Ebay also sells them on Gunbroker, but he will not answer email questions, so I have not bought from him.

[grant580]

I am trying to build the same thing...but more for the aesthetics than the ugly commercial mount that they sell.
I found cheek pieces and reproduction mounts on ebay. I have bought a cheek piece and it fits well. I'm kinda chicken to drill into my stock until I have the right screws (looking for some nice brass ones).
The same guy that has the scope mount on Ebay also sells them on Gunbroker, but he will not answer email questions, so I have not bought from him.

If you check out Lee Valley Tools, phone number 1 800 267 8767 they sell really good solid brass screws of various sizes and styles and are excellent to deal with.

If you need help installing the cheek piece drop me a PM and I can email you step by step instuctions on how to install the cheek piece. I aquired these instructions from a fellow who is reproducing and selling the cheek pieces.
I know what you mean about being reluctant to drill into your stock, I went through the same thing but mine turned out really well by following the instructions.