No4 MK1 T

[Seaforth72]

Canadian troops in WWII were usually equipped with Canadian made No.4 Mk.I or No.4 Mk.I* rifles by 1943, but the exception was sniper rifles. Canada made about 1,588 No.4 Mk.I* (T) sniper rifles in WWII, mostly in 1944-1946, but reportedly most of these were sent to the British Army. As we now understand it, Canadian snipers overseas were issued with their sniper rifles out of the British supply system. Thus they could end up with rifles made in England, Canada or the USA. Some of the wartime photos show Canadian snipers using very early No.4 Mk.I (T) sniper rifles with the Mk.I dome shaped cocking piece. By the time of the Korean War, it appears that more Long Branch made sniper rifles were available for the Canadian troops but British made examples were probably still in the Canadian supply system which could explain this one ending up in Belgian service. For more information see the book WITHOUT WARNING by the late Clive Law.

In the 1950s Canada sent a lot of military vehicles, equipment and weapons as NATO aid to Belgium. Several sniper rifles with their No.15 Mk.I wooden chests, have turned up in Belgium and Australia that have the Canadian markings on the chests from the time they were given to the Belgian Army. I had an ex-Belgian issue Long Branch sniper rifle with scope case and like yours, fitted with a No.32 Mk.III scope and renumbered accordingly.

British or American made rifles in Canadian military service are often found with C/|\ (arrow inside the “C”) markings. I have seen one such No.4 Mk.I (T), some No.1 Mk.III and III*, Model of 1917 Enfields and Winchester Model 1894 carbines. .

A 1943 BSA No.4 Mk.I (T) would almost certainly have left Holland & Holland fitted with a No.32 Mk.I scope or possibly a No.32 Mk.II scope. A No.32 Mk.3 (marked No.32 Mk.III, No.32 Mk3 or C No.32 Mk.3) would have been fitted in late 1944 or later, either as a replacement for a damaged or lost scope or as an upgrade. When this happened in British or Canadian service The old scope number was cancelled e.g. XXXXX or ———— and the new scope number was stamped on. The bracket was numbered to the rifle. On the rifle in question look for the “S51” stamped into the underside of the butt stock stock and for current and previous scope serial numbers on top.

Belgian issued sniper rifles sometimes have a Belgian monogram in a circle (similar to a Liege marking) in the wood, on the underside, just forward of the magazine. When renumbered brackets were fitted, sometimes only the last four digits of a serial number were marked on the bracket (more evidence is need to be sure). Some rifles had the metal refinished in the Belgian grey finish.

We would need to see photos of the markings on the rifle and the chest, if you have it, to confirm but it is most likely that this rifle was made in England, issued to Canadians, marked as Canadian property, likely used in Italy and/or Northwest Europe, sent to Canada, and then given as NATO aid to the Belgian Army.

I collect Canadian sniper rifles of WWII and would be happy to help to understand the markings on this rifle. I would also like to add it to the research database on the No.4 (T) rifles, so especially want for the database the rifle serial number, serial number on the bracket, scope serial number and the scope numbers on the butt (on top behind or under the cocking piece). The more information and photos the better!