My No4 Mk1 T

[Dawn Patrol]

I used to collect German, US and Japanese sniper rifles in the 80s. Along the way I picked up this No4 Mk1 T rifle. I sold the German and Japanese rifles, sorry to say but kept my O3-A4, a WW1 Springfield with Warner Swasey scope and this Enfield. I have done only a little research on this forum regarding the rifle and would like to see what it is I have. I knew the scope and rail were not matched to the rifle but still liked it. Not sure about the stock as I have not pulled the butt to see its number but the forearm wood has a number mismatched to the rifle. Is this number supposed to match? I have 3 matching serial numbers on the rifle metal parts. The scope is much more used than the rifle, but optics are good. Missing one screw on the brass plate to top of scope and missing the screw for the forearm front band. I would like to replace those missing parts. Curious to know more about this early dated scope, and what dated T rifle it would have been issued too. The 3 digit number on the brass butt plate: is that an individual issue number ?What properly would a 1945 Holland and Holland T rifle have come with scopewise? I hope my photo attachments works. First time try. Thanks for any thoughts.

Information

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[Badger]

Hello ....

... and welcome to the site ...

Check the 130 picture virtual tour of the 1944 Enfield No.4 Mk1(T) Sniper Rifle (Mfg by BSA Shirley - M47c) displayed in the United Kingdom - Milsurp Knowledge Library.

Compare all the markings on the No.4(T) you own and compare against it.

Hope that helps ...

Regards,
Doug

[jmoore]

That scope was on a 1930's Enfield No.4 which was converted for scope use about the time your scope was made. Very exciting to see a surviving scope. Bracket was numbered post-WWII, otherwise it would have been untracable, but that just means that the rifle was a complete package long enough to be in service after the war. Only about 100 off my rifle's S/N. (which has a later scope, but an un-numbered bracket)

[Dawn Patrol]

Hello Badger, I had read that piece a couple of times before I posted but need to read it a few more times to digest the details. The article by Graeme Barber, very enlightening and well written. I am glad to hear that the scope is an interesting one. Exciting to think about it on an early No4 prewar early war rifle, converted at the Royal Small Arms Factory.. I like the way this one feels, like it's been a pair for a long time. Anyone know of a scope screw for the missing one or front barrel band special screw? I would think the scope screw would be next to impossible unless in an odd machine screw jar. I would like to see your rifle JM, with the close serial number. Thanks for the insight.

[jmoore]

Character fault of mine, nothing but detail shots of this above rifle! No full views. Might have to rectify that one day.

Link (hopefully) to the entire album (which has a few comparative photos of other parts mixed in, due to past studies):

Trials No4 MkI T pictures by dave4201 - Photobucket

[Andrew from Perth]

Hi!

I have a BSA Shirley (M47C) No.4 Mk1(T), serial no. 30864, same model scope as yours as well, dated 1944.

I have been wondering about the scope model on my rifle, but it seems that they were still fitting the mk1 at a later date.

My fore-end woodwork is also smooth, without any grooves.

Cheers,

Andrew

[jmoore]

I have a BSA Shirley (M47C) No.4 Mk1(T), serial no. 30864, same model scope as yours as well, dated 1944.

I have been wondering about the scope model on my rifle, but it seems that they were still fitting the mk1 at a later date.

My fore-end woodwork is also smooth, without any grooves.

The presence of a Mk.I scope is possible in 1944, but it would be much easier to draw conclusions if we knew the serial number prefix!

Woodwork style of handguard is pretty random, either is fine.

You would be best served starting a new thread, complete with photos, like Dawn Patrol 's.

Back to your rifle, Dawn Patrol . It's likely your scope was originally a Mk.III, the number on the top of the buttstock just behind the action would be the one it had last whilst in service. Very possibly the one it was first issued, ginen the S51 marking underneath.

The numbered magazine, general metal finish on the action and some other clues indicate a fairly lengthy time in service. But not much hard usage, as the front pad's only staked once per screw.

The brass colored gunmetal buttplate is a bit unusual on a "T", as is the marking on top of same.

BTW, there's likely a few fellows on this site who are apt to have the proper screw for your scope, but I'll let them 'fess up on their own!

[Andrew from Perth]

My rifle is currently getting a little TLC after 60 years of use, so when I have her back I will get some photographs together and start a thread.
In the course of the refurbishment Mr Laidler identified that the scope had some markings that indicated the rifle had been sent to India after WWII but before partition & independence.
I will save some of the other mysteries of the rifle for later, such as how the rifle ended up in a gunshop in outback Australia on sale for about 1/10 of its price
(You chaps can also admire the refurbishment of the scope by Mr Laidler, which is jolly good)