No. 4 Mk 1 (T) bolt mismatch - how much does it hurt value?

[Bigwagon]

A local shop has a really nice No. 4 (T) that I'm interested in. Overall, it's a nice, complete sniper set up with a No. 32 Mk III scope & mount, canvas covered metal scope case (not the hinged clamshell type), sling, and transit case, all in excellent condition.

The rifle itself is in exception condition, with beautiful wood, all proper markings and finish, but there is one big problem. It appears someone replaced the original bolt with a modified bolt. It's fully polished with a handle that looks re-worked.

I've bought a lot of guns from this shop and I think the owner will work with me on the price. He doesn't have a firm number, but knows that no-excuses complete rigs sell regularly for upwards of $5K. I'm thinking quite bit south of that given the bolt issue, which is really a shame because otherwise this rifle is pretty close to being the top of heap.

Here are a few shots of the bolt. Thoughts on how much of a value hit this makes?

Information

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[limpetmine]

Find who the previous owner was and see if he has the bolt sitting in a box somewhere.
Mismatched bolt is a serious hit in my book. Might even be a deal breaker, unless the kit is full and in excellent condition. Just my opinion.

[Bigwagon]

The rest of the package is exceptional. No issues. That's what makes it so tough. It will never be worth truly top-dollar because of the bolt, but even as-is, I'm thinking around $3,500.

[CINDERS]

Well the difference in the colour of the cheek rest from the rest of the timber on the rifle says to me its been replaced does the rifle bear any FTR markings, there is the lack of the serial No. of the scope on the top wrist which if the woods been replaced was it done by a competent armourer or just someone trying to get the best looking T on the block.
What markings are on the left wrist, what year, who made it, are there any markings in the left side of the receiver like the small "T", and stampings on the bolt race flats at the back, does the timber have any markings like S51 from H&H, the unserialed bolt is a worry as its not just a case of drop in fit they are quite the technical piece to fit as BIOZ said a while ago they are a helical lock up so all recoil surfaces have to engage equally.

More photos would be good to make a determination from the people with the real expertise with these weapons systems as mine is only limited from owning a T

[Bigwagon]

I didn't do an exhaustive examination, but from memory it was marked TR on the socket, M47C maker. Don't recall the year ('44 or '45). S mark on the right side of the action. Don't recall if it had a T mark by ejector. I did notice the lack of scope number on the stock, but it is marked S51 on the bottom of the stock and the fore end was numbered with matching SN. I agree about the cheek rest. The screws holding it on also looked a bit too new. It's not actually on sale in the shop, so it's not going anywhere soon, and I will have some time next week to do more due diligence. It's starting to look more like a sum of the parts offer, if I do decide to make one. I would really like to have the scope and mount for my other No. 4 (T) if nothing else.

[CINDERS]

K see if the shop can give you more detailed pics from memory I think mine has the Weedon star on the underside of the wrist if I am correct (pic).
I just find it a bit odd if the stock was done at H&H why the scopes serial No. is not stamped on the wrist stange things happen I guess and who knows what the rifles have been up to all these years.

The bolt would be your haggling point or not so much that but as its a crucial piece and is not serialised to the rifle at this point its an unknown if you can get the whole shebang for say $2,900 ~ $3,000 then you have a bargain and can then get the bolt checked out by a gunny familiar with the lock up on the Lee Enfield line. Haggling is a done thing!

[Bigwagon]

The possibility of it being a "scopeless" T just occurred to me as well. Need to get back over there any take more photos!

[Daan Kemp]

From the first photo the wood next to the bolt handle looks very new.

[mike1967]

Not only is that bolt un numbered but it appears to have been cut and had a new knob put on it.

[breakeyp]

Color cheekpiece should not be a problem. They were fitted after the rifle was issued to fit the shooter. I doubt that there was any attempt to match color or grainm they just grabbed what was next in the box.