No.4 T questions

[31pickemup]

Hello gang.
I'm totally new to Enfields and I've always wanted one. Well I picked one up at the local gun auction. Its a 1945 with a 1945 Mk 3 scope. Its came with its original storage box and the scope has its scope can. The receiver has the T stamped into the left side but nothing else. The band above the trigger is marked M47C 1945 it's serial number and a TR. The scope does not match the gun and neither does the mount. My questions are: The front section of the stock is numbered to the rifle. But the front stock and rear buttstock totally dont match. Their colors are totally different and buttstock even seems to have a glossier finish. The buttstock does have the S51 but the number by the cocking piece don't match the scope. Did they sometimes not match? Also the top handguard isn't ribbed isn't it supposed to be? Also someone told me it might be a replacement receiver. How can I verify this? Ill try to get some pictures tomorrow.

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[rayg]

If you remove the butt stock, I believe there's a serial number stamped on the lip of the butt stock and it should match the rifle's number.
I've never removed any of my stocks to see but was told they are there.
How about some photos and how much was it? Sounds nice, Ray

[31pickemup]

Well I found out that the scope mount is a postwar. Has the serial number towards the rear mount.

[curly]

Just order a copy of Capt. Peter Laidler's excellent reference book on the No.4(T) from BDL Ltd. you will find ALL the answers to ALL your questions in that Bible of a book, a bargain at four times the price. Unfortunately, you should have read and studied it BEFORE you bought the rifle! But all may not be lost, good luck.

http://www.bdlltd.com/An_Armours_Per...Laidler-HC.jpg

All the best,

Curly

[31pickemup]

Here are the pics. I found out its from a estate of a lawyer that had 132 guns. Apparently he's had it for a while. Any feedback is most welcome

[Amatikulu]

looks correct - scope and can match but obviously not to the rifle. Not sure what the pic of the loose scope is doing

[31pickemup]

Whooops that M73B1 pic got mixed in. Guys the problem with this rifle is there is no Stamping on the left side of the receiver besides the T. I dont think this is a century made gun but the no identification on the side of the receiver is throwing me off. Also the different color stock pieces is driving me nuts lol.

[Beerhunter]

there is no Stamping on the left side of the receiver besides the T.

Nor should there be. The maker (BSA), the date, the serial number and TR are on the butt socket. (Where they should be.)

The marks under the muzzle are English Commercial Proof - Gunmakers Company (London)

[Peter Laidler]

Different stock colours..................., Hey, I've fitted literally hundreds of pieces of woodwork to thousands of No4 and 5 rifles and if you seriously think that we Armourers would waste more than about 10 seconds in attempting to get more than a modicum of colour match, then you're wildly mistaken. We'd select a colour near - if a near colour was in the tray - , prepare it to fit properly, linseed it and fit it. Then out the rifle would go.

DON'T worry about it. I'll let you into another secret too. We have people, even some on the forum, who think that Armourers would rummage through hundreds of trays and boxes of spare parts, just to select a special year foresight blade or backsight leaf or a striker spring (I'm being silly now........) from a certain maker. Do not fall into that trap. No Armourer from any nation would entertain such a ridiculous notion, regardless what other 'armourers' might tell you.

Get your No4T, clean the barrel and bolt, give it a good pasting down the range to get it out of your system. Then clean it. Now spend a few hours reading ALL there is to read on this very forum, then go and speak to BDL and buy a couple of books on the subject. The next time you take it out onto the range you can zero it, enjoy it and let others admire it.

Good shooting and years of pleasure lay ahead of you. Peter Laidler

[tbonesmith]

Does the fact that I'm very envious count as feedback?