British No.4(T) Sniper Rifle - $5,195.00 U.S.

[Badger]

Member Pete04 pointed this one out to us....

Feedback and comments anyone?

Collectors Firearms - British M47C BSA No.4 Mk1 sniper rifle (click here)

Seller's Description:

Enfield No 4 Mark I .303 British caliber rifle. Rare WWII sniper rifle set in beautiful mint condition, with matching scope, wooden carry case, scope case and sling. Best one we’ve ever had! $5,195.00 Item# R5685

Selling Price - $5,195.00 U.S.

Regards,
Badger

Information

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[Claven2]

To me, the forestock and front HG look like possible replacements. Patina doesn't match the rest of the rifle.

Also, the scope can is dated 1941 while the scope is 1945 - possibly recently mated? I would also want to see the underside of the buttstock. The scope number is nicely struck on the but, but I don;t see any 4T conversion contractor markings as one would expect to see. With the easy availability of cheap Chinese stamps in a variety of fonts, I'd want to see more pictures before laying out over 5K US.

I'd be curious to hear the views of others on this one.

[tiriaq]

'44 rifle with a low sidewall stock. Rear HG, butt appear to be walnut, forend and front HG look more like beech. I suppose it could happen. If the can was matched up to the scope &rifle, someone deliberately tried to make the rifle serial # on the case look good.

[sdh1911]

I didn't realize they cobbled snipers together-SDH

[Kierlup]

Interesting that they don't show the left side of the receiver in close-up. I understand that without the "4(T)" stamp in that location, no way it can be original.

[Claven2]

Not necessarily. 4T's aren't all marked "4T" Some are just marked "T", "TR", etc., some are marked otherwise. It not being 4T marked wouldn't be a deal breaker, but this rifle doesn't rub me right for a variety of reasons, not the least of which, the buttstock is either improperly marked or the dealer didn't take the right photos. Since they are a dealer that sees alot of snipers, I doubt they just "forgot" to photograph key identifying markings. This raises red flags for me.

EDIT: The rifle is "TR" marked on the buttsocket. I don;t doubt it is a real 4T sniper rifle, I just have suspicions it's been "desporterized" by adding a new set of wood, stamping the scope numbers into a non-original butt and mating up a 1941 can to a 1945 scope which seems unlikely to be original to me.

The mount serial number seems to match neither the rifle nor the scope. This is also worrisome.

Again, I think it's legit, but more "restored" than the seller is letting on.

[303sniper]

Hi All,

It looks to me that the rifle has been reworked and refitted with some new wood.
The scope looks to me as an original with an newley assingned case. I have seen this more often (its an scoptin for the Mk 1 or 2 scope).
The serial number in the butt has been newley struck, after the new woodwork had been fitted. You can clearly see that the woodwork has been sanded.
The scopecaps are also repro, made in England though.

Just my opinion

Have fun!!

303sniper