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Thanks N4 Mk1 (T). How's the weather on The Island at the moment? Was your scopeless No4 (T) a 44 BSA? I only ask as the relatively few non-Savage 'less scope' rifles I have seen or heard of have all been 44 BSA's.........I think that in general the atypical or non-standard markings on 43 & earlier rifles is generally indicative of the early stage of evolution of the marking system, although as they say, 'never say never & never say always when talking about Enfields!'
Incidentally burpgun, I'm pleased the bracket does the business -- I've always been a stickler on the machining. Also, I have AQ 93XX in my collection!
ATB
The weather is great! I only wish I didn't have to go to work as it would be perfect for shooting.
Yes and sorry I intended to mention that my "Less Scope" was a 1944 BSA in the B prefix serial number range. It looked almost mint and had been fitted with a Mk3 scope and original bracket.
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04-29-2009 12:56 AM
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Originally Posted by
jimmybob9
That Jean lady must get around. I have a 44 lithy I Mk III with "JEAN" marked into the butt stock as well!!
She must have been quite a girl!
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Last evening after considerable effort, and a tall stout, I pulled the butt to check the serial number. The first challange was that leather stock bolt wad. It took me thirty frustrating minutes to free and fish out. Next, the bolt itself was quite deep within the stock, requiring every tool extension I could muster. Finally, the butt was screwed on so tightly I broke two chicom driver bits attempting to remove it. After fetching a quality set of Hitachi bits from the garage I was finally able to remove it. I'm happy to say, I did find a matching number for all my effort!
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I have a 44 BSA T that has no "T" stamping but has all the other correct stampings including the Enfield final approval/inspection stamp on the back of the action which I've been told means it was approved/inspected with a scope. Ray
Last edited by rayg; 04-29-2009 at 07:15 AM.
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Here is my unfinished BSA 1944 still in the grease, it's s/n is in the "H" series.
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This thread is interesting in that it shows that there are no 'absolutes' in enfield no 4 t sniper rifles. I suppose in part that's because they were built in wartime and shockingly the makers didn't consider collectors 60 years later every step of the way when they were applying markings to the guns. The selfish sods. I suspect there are perfectly authentic rifles around now which the owners think are fakes because there is a missing stamp somewhere. A friend of mine who was in the army laughs when I mention marks like the butt S51, saying that if a sniper had a problem with the butt, too short or long etc, they took it in and the armorer put a new one on. Now that didn't have the S51 on any more so would fail some 'authenticity' tests, but it was an alteration requested by a real, live sniper.
So it's caveat emptor in trying to see through the fakes, but don't forget they weren't built by someone who was ticking off all the points in the excellent 'is my lee enfield sniper rifle a fake' article.
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Originally Posted by
Lance
Here is my unfinished BSA 1944 still in the grease, it's s/n is in the "H" series.
Lance, what markings are on it and what markings are missing? Ray
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The rifle has the S51 and the "S" mark on the cut off block. Bolt and forend of course match, magazine in un-numbered but original as the grease is unbroken. No middle sling swivel and the screw's on the pads are staked.
Missing, the "T" of course and a scope number on the butt. I do not remember if the special inspectors view mark in the back of the receiver is there, it has been so long since I went over it.
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Originally Posted by
terryinvictoria
In the Interest of helping here is a good article based on one than one good book-several in fact.
So here you go---
This article is from;
Terry Warners article--
IS MY LEE ENFIELD SNIPER RIFLE A FAKE!
at
Spotting a fake sniper rifle
CLOAKING DEVICE - OFF!
I wrote that article in 2005. As this rifle and many others prove, never say never with Enfields. A lot of electrons have flowed over the internet to raise the level of scholarship of No4T sniper rifles. For example, clear photos of Indian rifles have emerged, more photo studies of Savage rifles keep appearing, and many of the smallest details of rifles in service have been explained courtesy of Mr. Laidler
. Regretably one of our best internet resources has 'closed shop', but life goes on.
This thread has been instructive. This rifle and the supporting opinions, suggest a date and serial number range for the H&H conversion process becoming more standardized. We also have an example of the markings how discriminating collectors to identify original from Roger's reproductions. The man's work is so good it had him fooled!
So, as the forward of my admits, the article contains mistakes. However, the wise man admits what he doesn't know. Makes corrections and moves on. But, I don't know when the updated article will go up.
CLOAKING DEVICE - ON!
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Originally Posted by
burpgun
Last evening after considerable effort, and a tall stout, I pulled the butt to check the serial number. The first challange was that leather stock bolt wad. It took me thirty frustrating minutes to free and fish out. Next, the bolt itself was quite deep within the stock, requiring every tool extension I could muster. Finally, the butt was screwed on so tightly I broke two chicom driver bits attempting to remove it. After fetching a quality set of Hitachi bits from the garage I was finally able to remove it. I'm happy to say, I did find a matching number for all my effort!
Congratulations burpgun! Defiantly rewarding to find a matching number and well worth your efforts.
I too have found this thread very educational.
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