No 4 Mk I Trials Rifle, A0754(T)

[Peter Laidler]

Yes, but like you say, not all were fitted with cheek rests.

[martin08]

Much information for a relative amateur Lee-Enfield collector to absorb regarding this specimen.

The cut-off is stamped steel construction without the spotting hole. The marks on it are from Enfield and the number, 20. Would this have been a No.1 Mk V cut-off?

[jmoore]

Looks OK to me as a No.4 cutoff. Unless brain is malfunctioning, which isn't unlikely first night back at work.

[Seaforth72]

Congratulations on your find. The swivel under the upper guard is another Trials rifle feature not found on production No. 4 rifles. Given her age, she is not too bad. Trials body, matching serial numbered Trials 1930 dated barrel, proper and rare early wasp waisted MK. I foresight protector, rare upper swivel (stacking swivel I believe), MK. I button cocking piece, Enfield stamped bolt head. Don't worry about a sniper swivel in front of the magazine as that was a 1945 period add-on. Yours has the Enfield examiner's stamp on top of the front scope pad which shows that it was one of the first 1,403 No. 4 rifles converted to snipers by Enfield in 1941-1942 and not the 1942-1946 conversions by Holland and Holland, so it would NOT have has the "S51" stamp on the underside of the butt.

The likely explanation for the A suffix instead of prefix on the bolt handle is that non-standard rifles sometimes later had an "A" suffix mark applied AFTER the serial number to show that these parts were non-standard and were not interchangeable with normal service rifles.

If interested, have for sale a spare used walnut No. 4 MK. I forestock from 1941 production (SN 25077) with the proper notch for the magazine cut-off. I bought it to use to "restore" my Trails No. 4 sniper but decided to leave mine alone as it is matching in-service with a 1945 No. 32 MK. III scope, and forestock (no notch) numbered to the rifle, likely all fitted during the Factory Thorough Repair and it is exactly as it left the British Army, There are 1963 stores tags matching the scope and rifle in the No. 15 chest with the set. http://captainstevens.com/militaria-...ated-firearms/

[rayg]

Just curious, my period original Trials rifle's serial number is A1374 and it's dated 1931, where as the Op's rifle is dated 1935, four yeasr later, but the serial # A0754 is lower then mine. Why would that be? Ray

[jmoore]

Just curious, my period original Trials rifle's serial number is A1374 and it's dated 1931, where as the Op's rifle is dated 1935, four yeasr later, but the serial # A0754 is lower then mine. Why would that be? Ray

It's a reworked 1931. Sometimes you can see the old "1" under the "3", etc. Seems that most '31 rifles had the little loop on the forward part of the trigger guard, but '33s don't. Haven't seen enough of the other years to be sure but that loop was not cut on more than one later redo. Other changes affected the cocking piece/striker and rear sight.



A '33 trigger guard. Look closely and you can see the remains of the loop.



The "1" is still faintly visible just in front of RH "3".

[rayg]

Thanks, I see the shadow of the one now and that the "3" looks newer, Ray

[martin08]

Thank you for the cut-off info, jmoore. And thanks for the in depth summary, Seaforth72.

At this time, I am not sure if I will make an attempt to restore sniper furniture. But I will keep it in mind.



And another Trials Rifle sighting is confirmed on Gunboards. It has most of the original sniper configuration, very nice.

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthre...y-Trials-rifle

[snipershot1944]

I have one of those too, turned out as a sniper. Mine, though is missing the waisted front sight protector. Perhaps I will run across one some day.

very nice find.