Enfield Sniper

[Jr~]

A local fellow has this Enfield Sniper for sale. I don't know anything about these. Scope and mounts look original? What about value? I took as many pics as I could while over the sellers home. Sorry if I missed taking some important shots.

Would greatly appreciate your opinions.

Thank you

Jr

Picture link here, https://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24848285

Information

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[smle addict]

That's the real deal, beautiful original rifle.

Mismatched scope/mount to rifle (very common), but otherwise all correct.

Sum of the parts: Mk3 scope=$1500-$2000
original mount: $800-$1000
No4 T rifle: $1500-$1800

All prices US, based on on-line auctions and ebay.

Condition is everything, so that rifle might bring more. If the range/deflection drums are frozen, plan on an expensive repair.

Hope this helps.

[303 Gunner]

Hello Jr,

The rifle was built in 1944 at BSA Shirley. It looks to be in very nice shape.

So first thoughts:
-Although the butt socket has the "TR" marking, meaning it was segregated at the factory for conversion, the "T" marking on the left hand side of the body indicating H&H's completion of sniper conversion is missing.
-The "S" marking on the right side of the body is also missing. It should be on the small flat just to the rear of the "England" stamp.
-The butt does have the "S51" stamp. Does it have a scope serial number? It would be stamped on top of the butt just behind the butt socket.
-The scope bracket is numbered to a different rifle. Not the end of the world, as it is quite common, but not worth as much as if it were a matching set. I would also suspect this scope is not original to the rifle, although it is the proper model for this year of rifle.

All said and done, I believe you could buy a similar rifle for ~$2,500-$3,500, pending the optical/mechanical condition of the scope and the condition of the bore. However, there are many more experienced collectors on this forum of whom you should certainly also seek their opinion.

Hope that helps,
Joshua

[Roger Payne]

It's a peach. As people have said the scope & bracket look to be mis-matched to the rifle but they are perfectly correct. The bracket bears the serial of a 1945 rifle to which it was originally fitted. The bracket was made by Rose Brothers of Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, & was one of two UK contractors who produced them. The scope is a Taylor Hobson Company Mk3, the Mk3 being generally considered the most desirable mark. The rifle is a beauty & looks correct to me. I think in fact there is a letter 'S' on the cut-off block, but it is only shallowly stamped. The fact that the rifle does not bear a 'T' on the body side wall may indicate that it was one of the so-called 'scopeless rifles' originally. Some rifles were converted by Holland & Holland but were not fitted with telescopes. However, many were in later service so fitted. If the rifle was scoped up then there should be a scope number stamped into the wood at the very front top of the butt, just behind the back end of the bolt. If there is nothing there you probably do indeed have one of the 'scopeless rifles' that an individual has acquired the current scope & bracket for.

I'm not the best to comment on value as I'm in the UK (about ten miles from where the rifle was originally made), but I'd definitely give it house room!

ATB.

[CINDERS]

Sorry Gunner but the S is stamped on the small flat just below where the bolt head sits with the bolt closed its just the lighting/camera angle and its a faint stamp, the top of the wrist was not pictured so we cannot see if it did have a scope originally but as Roger explained it may have been a scopeless T.

[Alan de Enfield]

Sold off into the UK civilian gun-trade (UK Civilian Proof marks)
Imported into the USA prior to 1968 (England import mark)

I wouldn't 'kick her out of bed'.

[303 Gunner]

Sorry Gunner but the S is stamped on the small flat just below where the bolt head sits with the bolt closed its just the lighting/camera angle and its a faint stamp, the top of the wrist was not pictured so we cannot see if it did have a scope originally but as Roger explained it may have been a scopeless T.

Ah, fair enough! That one is tough to see!

[Jr~]

WOW, Thanks to all for the valuable information. And for the quick replies.

I did not see the serial #'s of the scope on the stock behind the bolt or anywhere on the rifle. Nor have I checked the bore condition. He does have the brown leather scope caps but the center strap part broke and someone used epoxy or something similar in a attempt to repair the strap. Overall stock condition is excellent but I would check it further. The front of the outside scope tube looks like it has a black mat finish. Almost like brushed on. Original or perhaps someone touched it up at one time?

Pic below of what I think is the drums. Sorry if I'm incorrect. But if so, these should rotate freely left to right? Will it have a clicking noise when rotated?

Thanks again

Jr

[smle addict]

Yes those are the range and deflection drums. They should turn freely with slight resistance. You should "feel" it click as it turns, accompanied by a slight audible click.

[Jr~]

Great. He will be checking that for me soon. If they are frozen any est. on a repair?

Thanks

Jr