Photos of my new Enfield No. 4 Mk. 1 T sniper rifle

[Peter Laidler]

Another breath of common sense or what my mum used to call '.....the bleedin obvious' from Roger!
Re thread 14 and eye caps So far as I recall, from 1965 or so, there were only about 4 patterns of eye caps. No loop, 'no loop' with the loop cut off showing their ex No42/53 origins. Then the split types Into the late 70's with a dire quality black dyed monstrosities where the black dye was used to cover the dire quality and the later very thin poor quality L1A1 tele specific type. All types of leather was used. None of them were rare as such and the appearance of the leather was of absolutely no concern. If it was, the part numbers would have changed. And you'd still find 1955 dated old and dry leather caps coming through the system well into the L42A1 rifles old age.

[rayg]

The cut-off could only be removed in an Armourers shop. Not possible for an average sniper to do so. And if an Armourer removed it, same as on a No1, they were aware that it would just be another hole/slot for dirt. dust and other crap to enter the rifle. Designers also knew the phrase that 'dust and dirt are the arch enemy of magazines'. That's why they welded the view holes up on sten gun magazines.

Just curious and a question, not that it makes any difference now. But as my "T" was otherwise 'unadulterated' except it had had the cutoff removed. Would the Armourer remove a cutoff for a sniper on request? Although I can't see any advantage for the sniper to have it removed. Ray

[Peter Laidler]

Well......, he could remove it but the spec was that the rifle would be as manufactured. That's why solid block band foresights and 2 groove barrels were a specification reject for so long. But I just can't imagine a well trained, savvy and wise sniper asking to have a cut-off removed knowing that the ONLY thing that'd happen is more dust and sxxxe getting into the works. When the time came to replace the fore-end to a later standard high sided one, that'd be a different matter. That's just me saying how things were on the shop floor knowing that you just couldn't do your own thing

[Seaforth72]

I examined the No. 15 chest again more closely and can confirm that Peter Laidler was correct and that the correct spelling of the ship's name was DUNERA.

[Seaforth72]

My 1931 Trials which was converted to sniper equipment at Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield in 1941-1942 had the magazine cut-off removed at some point. I suspect that this was during the Factory Thorough Repair and a later "high wood" fore-stock replaced the early "low wood". The High wood fore-stock covers the now empty slot. There are enough photos around of ex-Trials rifles converted to sniper that retained the magazine cut-off to know that this feature was NOT removed at the time of conversion. The original scope (number unknown) was removed, the butt was changed and a newer No. 32 MK.; III scope was fitted, so it is "matching in-service" and it is impossible to restore it to its "matching as converted" configuration. As this rifle remained in British service until at least 1963 (re: army tags) I have decided to leave it as it is.

These two photos show the magazine cut-off still in place after conversion to sniper equipment.



Lance-Corporal A. P. Proctor, a sniper with the British 56th Division, cleaning his 1930s Trials rifle which had been converted to sniper equipment. 24 November 1943.



British soldier of the 1st (Airlanding) Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles, 1st Airborne Division with a 1930s Trials rifle converted to No. 4 MK. I (T) sniper equipment. Circa 1942. IWM photo H23360.

[Bindi2]

There are pictures of the trials Ts but how many have survived in original or FTR form.

[Gil Boyd]

Certainly see the trial variations on the bolt.
Thats the P Type Helmet made by BMB in 1942 for Airborne Forces which dates this lad with numerous weapon skill photos including this one we have at the Airborne Forces Museum from the RUR to that year.

[rayg]

Well......, he could remove it but the spec was that the rifle would be as manufactured. That's why solid block band foresights and 2 groove barrels were a specification reject for so long. But I just can't imagine a well trained, savvy and wise sniper asking to have a cut-off removed knowing that the ONLY thing that'd happen is more dust and sxxxe getting into the works. When the time came to replace the fore-end to a later standard high sided one, that'd be a different matter. That's just me saying how things were on the shop floor knowing that you just couldn't do your own thing

Thanks Peter, I guess who removed the cutoff will just remain a mystery. Otherwise the rifle is still all in its original Trials rifle configuration having all its original and correct early components/parts, ie: waisted front sight guard, rounded Mk VI cocking button with the side screw and it's original early Enfield "VI" marked magazine. No post 1950 London proof House stamps, rebuild nor any US import stamps just the right receiver stamped “England”. Ray

[chosenman]

Gil Boyd is spot on about the Transit Chest SA No. 15 telling its own story. Unfortunately one cannot be sure if the chest and the rifle always travelled together even if the chest is numbered on a tag to the rife. One of my chests had many layers of markings. I eventually uncovered "1 GREEN JACKETS" "H T DONERA" (a British transport shipv apparently that took troops to and from foreign postings) and "TIDWORTH" (a depot). Although I have the rifle that came in that chest, the chest was not numbered to the rifle (no end tag in metal sleeve) so I do not know if they had travelled together for a long time.

WOW! you lucky chap!! I served 3 Royal Green Jackets.

[bros]

That is some fine preserved history....keep it that way!!!!! I'd shoot it a time or two if it was mine. That's a very nice piece of equipment!!!!!