Another match has been found: a No. 4 MK. I (T) X31886 and its scope 23898

[Gloworm]

Afternoon Chaps, I have Rifle, bolt & bracket no. E38530 and a mk3 scope numbered 21466
The original scope number on the stock is xxx’d out, my old eyes can’t make the digits out ☹️

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[Seaforth72]

Afternoon Chaps, I have Rifle, bolt & bracket no. E38530 and a mk3 scope numbered 21466
The original scope number on the stock is xxx’d out, my old eyes can’t make the digits out ☹️

The bracket having the matching serial number to the rifle & bolt is a good sign, suggesting that it is indeed a matching set. The puzzle is if "21466" is not stamped onto the top of the butt, just behind the cocking piece. A cancelled scope number there indicates a scope removed from the set and there is usually a new scope number stamped in. Being a late war example, the markings were standardized by that point.

Does the butt have "S51" stamped on the underside and a cheek rest fitted?

Is the body stamped with the "S" on the right side, "TR" and "T" on the left side and with examiner stamps on each side of the bolt, on the upper surface of the body, near the cocking piece?

Are there any stake marks on the screws of the scope pads to prevent their working themselves loose?

You might try removing the butt and seeing if the rifle serial number, less the letter prefix, is stamped into the flat ledge on top that is only visible when you remove the butt stock from the body socket.

Photos would help as we have very knowledgeable people on Milsurps.com such as Roger Payne in the UK. Markings can be faked and photos, while not perfect, can help to weed out some markings that may not be correct or conversely, reveal that they do look correct.

Verifying and understanding these No. 4 (T) rifles is a combination of many things - all of the markings, quality of work, correct combination of components (allowing for the fact that there were some upgrading and repairs in service life), condition, finish on the metal and the wood, provenance (how long has it been owned and where and when was it acquired, from whom), matching numbered scope case etc. Then of course there is the acid test - Is it accurate at various range settings?