1944 BSA sniper rifle set

[grey ghost]

Hey guys, I am going tomorrow to look at BSA No4 Mk1 sniper rifle. The rifle is dated 1944, the serial number is G33000. The gun is in its transit chest, with scope and tin. Tin marked to rifle. scope number on stock. My question is this gun on the serial number list? What do I need to look for to make sure it is correct? If the gun is correct, what would be a good price?
Here is what is on the wrist

M47C
1944
G33000
TR
Has S51 in the correct place

Bolt numbered to the gun

Please, need help. I have no pictures. Thanks Steve

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[rgg_7]

I don't know of any list for NoT's. Best is to look at rifle/ scope numbers and details...take some pictures and post. At least you'll get an opinion if it's genuine. Ron

[PrinzEugen]

Yes, as rgg7 says there is no 'list' for 4ts. Have a really good look on this site for no4ts - they can appear to be genuine ie the numbers in the right place etc - but if you've seen a lot of them you'll soon get the hang of if it looks 'right' or not - there are a lot here - and some in the Knowledge Library section.

Best to trust your own eyes - and buy the rifle not the story as they say! Bear in mind that there is a lot of fakery around. If in doubt ask if he minds you taking some pictures first and post them on here for the expert perusal.

[Peter Laidler]

The telescope number would be more use to me in tracing its originality

[grey ghost]

Hi, the telescope No is 7603. What is the correct screw for the cheek pad? Thanks Steve

[Peter Laidler]

7603 has never been through my hands BUT, 7606 has and that is fitted to an original BSA 1942 rifle. I'd say that the 7603 telescope wasn't original to a 1944 rifle and if it's being sold as such, then it needs a bit of further investigation.

If you need further info about the rifles you propose to buy, such as the screw types, I suggest you buy a little book about the rifles, available from Brian at BDL in SC

[Roger Payne]

I'd agree with PL. It's a rule of thumb, but one I've found to hold over the years, that (re British No4 (T)'s) where a scope is a dated example, be VERY suspicious if the scope is dated EARLIER than the rifle it comes with. Same year; yes, year after; yes. I've even seen a 1944 rifle with a 1946 dated scope that I believe was correct, but if your scope is dated 42 or 43 & it really is a 44 rifle then take care.........

ATB.

[Seaforth72]

Scope set for the rifle discussed in this thread has popped up on eBay, auctiuon ending Thursday 11 July 2024. Seller is roadrelic-0 in Sedalia, Missouri, USA. Note that the rifle under discussion was also in Missouri.

It would be nice if someone could reunite this scope set with its rifle.

As pointed out in this thread, 1941 scope 7603 is too early for a 1944 rifle as an original installation. In this case it was apparently reassigned in service.

No. 8 Mk. I with rounded corners, dated 1941, by B&Co., no OS number, stencilled in white on outside of lid "RIFLE G33000" Inside lid the old paper label differs and is for rifle X31842 and scope 23638. Sometimes a later paper label has fallen off, or older label is defaced or perhaps ignored.

Scope is No. 32 Mk. I (incorrectly listed as "No. 32 1 Mk III MK 3 by seller) OS. 466 A made by KL in 1941, serial number 7603. Bracket had the old number XXXXXX'd out (MAYBE M32490?) and G33000 stamped on it. It appears to be an in-service change.

[Roy W]

Why would they have retro fitted a Mk1 scope on a 1944 Rifle? Surely the Mk1 was obsolete by then?

[Roger Payne]

As a general observation, Mk1 scopes were still being manufactured into 1944 by William Watson. I have had a number of them over the years & am rebuilding one currently. They've all been in the 14XXX serial range. Watson were 'late' changing over from Mk1 to Mk2 production.