Reunited with No.4 Mk1 T after 45 years.

**200-10x** · 06-10-2024 10:56 AM

Well, I thought I had posted my first thread on this forum a few days ago. Perhaps I made a mistake in submitting it. So if I'm repeating myself....my apologies.

But the story was, I've been reunited with a 1943 BSA No.4 Mk1 T that my stepfather had when was a kid, along with a few other WW2 vintage prizes, including a Finnish icon

capture SVT-40, a Mosin Dragoon also SA stamped, an M1 icon

Garand and M1 Carbine, and several lever action rifles and 22s. The T never did have the scope and mount, but I always knew what the rifle was a Sniper. (Anyone out there have scope # 4398?) He and my Mother parted ways when I was around 20, and I never saw the rifles again, and we never knew what became of them. Turns out my stepbrother had them secretly hidden away behind a false wall in his house, and they hadn't seen daylight in about 45 years. Now in failing health, he contacted me, told me he had them all, and asked me to come get them. I was worried they would be in poor condition, rusty, or worse. But upon seeing them all, I couldn't believe the dusty, but perfectly unharmed shape they were all in. With any luck, the few pics I was able to upload come through OK.

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**Seaforth72** · 06-12-2024 02:38 PM

Wonderfull story and great photos of AP9318 / 4398, thank you.

Sadly scope 4398, which would be a No. 32 Mk. I, has not turned up yet in my research database, but we shall keep watching for it!

Please do have a look and see if:

1. Is the rear sight is marked SM43 on the upper left corner on the side facing the shooter? If not, what is the marking?
2. Is there an "S51" stamped on the underside of the butt, behind the pistol grip?
3. Is there an "S" stamped on the small square part of the body sticking out on the right side of the receiver/body, below the bolt head?
4. Are there any small stamps on body on top, behind the rear sight, left and right sides beside the bolt? If so what are they and whether they are on left or right side?
5. Serial number stamped into the underside of the fore-end? Lengthwise or cross grain? With or without the "AP" letter prefixes?

Interestingly though, the rifle sequentially serial numbered after yours, AP9319, is also a No. 4 Mk. I (T) and was discussed here on Milsurps.com I believe though I cannot confirm it now, as the photos that were discussed are no longer visible. https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=65258

**200-10x** · 06-13-2024 01:16 PM

Thanks for the reply. And to answer all your questions, yes, it does have all the makings you asked about. There is a SM and broad arrow on the rear sight, and no battle aperture. there is what appears to be an IE and crown on the right rear of the receiver just behind the bolt, the I may be another letter, but the E is distinct. There is an S on the receiver right side just below the bolt head, and the bolt is marked 0. There is the S 51 on the butt just behind the grip, and it has the larger rear sling swivel. There isn't the triangular swivel just ahead of the magazine, but the forward screw has a stake punch mark at one end of the slot, and looks to have never been removed. There is a PS and SK on the front sight base, and the nosecap is marked SM just behind the sight. There is a SL, a broad arrow, a star, and another small mark in the wrist just aft of the triggerguard. The top of the middle band has a S.126 with abroad arrow in a circle. And last but not least, the triggerguard has a large B and broad arrow on either side of the lanyard loop. I have been trying to upload a few more pics, but most end up as "file too big", and the couple I tried as a URL showed up briefly on the post, then vanished. Any tips on the photos? And sorry, almost forgot, the only thing I don't see is the serial number on the forearm. Thanks again, Charlie

I've just managed to add a photo of my Mother, now 86 and in good health, with the No.4 T on the wall behind her. You can just see the butt and cheeckpiece on the bottom rifle to the right side. This would have been about 1965.