Of the 1500 No4 trials rifles converted to snipers

[breakeyp]

I keep finding trials rifles in odd corners. This one came from India by way of Springfield Sporters . Interestingly, it kept the wasp waist front sight protector and the unique ball detent rear sight.

Attachment 46745Attachment 46746Attachment 46747Attachment 46748Attachment 46749

[Surpmil]

Pics aren't great for telling for sure but I suspect the butt is probably the only original piece of wood on it.

Surprised nobody has yet commented on the foresight protector!

Having picked it to pieces, it is still a Trials No4 (T) all the same. Like most it has clearly had a checkered career.

Didn't bother to look at the GB photos till now, but what caught my eye was the chopped objective lens sunshade. Still trying to figure that out.

I'm sure you're right that it's been restocked as that is no Model C forend. N92 bracket is obviously not original.

Interesting how the '2' in the original scope number was struck upside down and not corrected.

I keep finding trials rifles in odd corners. This one came from India by way of Springfield Sporters . Interestingly, it kept the wasp waist front sight protector and the unique ball detent rear sight.

Attachment 46745Attachment 46746Attachment 46747Attachment 46748Attachment 46749

So the Indians didn't grind the Royal Cypher off in all cases then. Or could it be that Pakistan and India had different policies on that? Or was the "Ishapore screw" only found on Indian rifles?

[Roger Payne]

I can only speak of the two or three dozen or so 4T's I've seen that went to India, & all of the rifles that remained in Mk1 guise also retained their original receiver markings, though often augmented with a crudely handstamped going over of the 'No4 Mk1' on the receiver side-wall. The scrubbed rifles were all Mk1/2 conversions. It's logical I suppose, if you're stripping the rifle right down to braze the Mk2 trigger plate onto it, to go the whole hog. Of course, this is just anecdotal observation & might not hold true for all - but it does for those I've seen or owned personally. Afraid I don't know what Pakistan's policy was......

ATB

[breakeyp]

Found another Trials No.4 Mk1(T) that has been to India. As with the other one I have pictured, it has the original rear sight and front sight ears, transverse screw in fore stock. The socket has been dusted with little original markings remaining. The barrel is dated '30 with Axxxx serial number. The actual numbers are punched out. A1655 might be the true serial number.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

I looked in every corner of my house too and found not one Trials T, just empty beer cans. Thanks for the pics.

[oldhound]

I got one. It has ROF 41 20908A on the socket.
Was not a sniper though.

[rayg]

Great Thread
I have been following the No.4 Mark1 Trials rifles in threads, books etc. for a while. I note
any details including serial numbers that come up. I addition to the serials numbers in
this thread for those converted to Snipers, some of which are new to me, my list has
others: A507, 1933; A0987; A0356; A2200; A0916; A0783, 1933; & A2245.
John

John here's my Trials number to add to your list, It's still in all original Trials configuration with up grades or added stamps, "T" "TR" etc. and has all matching except the MkII scope and bracket. Also it's missing the cutoff but still has an early MkVI Enfield magazine.

Attachment 46823

[breakeyp]

I got one. It has ROF 41 20908A on the socket.
Was not a sniper though.

You have a special serial number rifle that is not normally seen. The A suffix indicates the gun was made with non standard parts and was to alert the repairman that extra effort was required to fix it. The trials guns under discussion were only made in the early 1930's to 1935 and were serial numbered with a A prefix. You gun is a little late.

[rayg]

John here's my Trials number to add to your list, It's still in all original Trials configuration with up grades or added stamps, "T" "TR" etc. and has all matching except the MkII scope and bracket. Also it's missing the cutoff but still has an early MkVI Enfield magazine.

Attachment 46823

Darn it, I should check what I write before I post it as that should say with "NO" up grades or added stamps, "T" "TR" etc.

[jmoore]

You have a special serial number rifle that is not normally seen. The A suffix indicates the gun was made with non standard parts and was to alert the repairman that extra effort was required to fix it. The trials guns under discussion were only made in the early 1930's to 1935 and were serial numbered with a A prefix. You gun is a little late.

I remember the thread about oldhound's rifle. A fairly good read so here's the link:

magazine cutoff