Reference Thread - Rock Island Auctions (Sept. 10, 11 & 12, 2010)

[Badger]

No.4(T) results - Rock Island Auctions ... Sept. 10, 11 & 12, 2010

Serial #: AL1378
Manufacturer: Enfield
Model: No. 4
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 303 British
Catalog Page: 38
Barrel Length: 25 inch
Finish: phosopate
Grip: N/A
Stock: walnut
Sell Date: 9/11/2010 Sold for $11,500 U.S.

Description: World War II production British No.4 MK1(T) Sniper Rifle manufactured by BSA in 1943. The No.4 MK1(T) Sniper Rifles were standard production BSA No.4 Rifles that were selected for accuracy and sent to Holland & Holland for conversion to sniper configuration. The rifles were fitted with a No. 32 Telescopic Sight on a detachable mount attached to pads on the left side of the receiver by two set screws. The mount was designed to permit the telescopic sight to be removed from the rifle and re-attached with minimum adjustment to the rifle zero. Each sight was calibrated to the individual rifle by Holland & Holland and the mount and sight were serial numbered to the rifle. The rifle stocks were fitted with a special wooden cheek piece to provide the proper eye relief for the telescopic sight. The 3X telescopic sight has a 'pointer and crosswire' reticule and click-adjustable windage and elevation drums. The rear sight was modified by removal of the battle sight aperture. Each rifle was furnished with a wooden transit case, a scope can, leather lens covers and a U.S. M1907 leather sling. The rifle has a black phosphate finish. The stock, forearm and handguard are oil-finished walnut. The left side of the butt-socket is stamped with the BSA code (M47), the date of manufacture (1943), the serial number (AL1376) and the "telescope rifle" designation (TR). The left side of the receiver is stamped with the model designation "No.4 MK1" and a large "T" indicating selection for sniper modification. The serial number is stamped on the proper locations on the back of the bolt handle, the underside of the forearm and on the left side of the telescopic sight mount. The underside of the butt is stamped with the Holland & Holland conversion code "S51". The telescopic sight serial number "2461" is stamped on the top of the stock wrist. The telescopic sight tube is roll-stamped: "TEL. SIGHTING/No 32 MKI/1943 No 2461/OS 466A/^ (Broad Arrow). The base and rings are stamped with the sequential assembly numbers "574" and "575". All of the serial numbers on the rifle and telescopic sight match and the sight is original to this rifle. The scope is complete with the original russet leather lens covers with "Broad Arrow" property mark. The scope can lid is stamped: "OS.906A/CASE, STG. TEL.No*,/B&Co" with "RIFLE R31329" stenciled below it (the can is the correct can for this rifle and telescopic sight but is not marked with the serial numbers of this particular sight and rifle. The rifle is complete with a wooden transit case painted RAF gray. The original paper equipment list/instruction sheet is present on the underside of the lid. The left side of the case is stenciled: "CHEST S.A. NO 15 MK I". The top of the lid is stenciled: "1150784 W.O. R. PEARSON R.A.F.". No.4 MK1(T) rifles with R.A.F. markings are unusual. The rifle case contains four mis-matched web ammunition pouches from a Pattern 1913 British cartridge belt and a U.S. cloth rifle sling. The No.4 MK1(T) Sniper Rifle is generally considered to be the most accurate and rugged sniper rifle issued during WWII; these rifles remained in British service until the 1970s.

Condition: Excellent. The rifle and telescopic sight retain 95% plus of the original black phosphate finish. Most of the finish wear on the telescopic sight is concentrated on the windage and elevation knobs and on the edges of the eyepiece and objective lens. The telescopic sight optics are very good and both the windage and elevation knobs turn freely. The bore is bright. All of the markings on the rifle and scope are sharp. The stock and forearm are in very fine-excellent with only light handling and storage wear. The lens covers are in near-new condition. The scope can is in very good condition with about 85% of the green painted finish; the can has all of the correct markings and interior labels. The transit case is in good overall condition and has all of the correct markings and components. This is an excellent example of a very desirable, completely matching British No.4 MK1(T) Sniper Rifle with transit case, scope can and lens covers.

Attachment 15916 - Attachment 15917 - Attachment 15918 - Attachment 15919

Serial #: G36967
Manufacturer: Enfield
Model: 4MK1
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 303 British
Catalog Page: 223
Barrel Length: 25 In
Finish: Phosopate
Grip: N/A
Stock: walnut
Sell Date: 9/12/2010- Sold for $6,900 U.S.

Description: This is an exceptional example of a British No.4 MK I (T) Sniper Rifle with No.32 MK 2/1 Telescopic Sight manufactured by BSA in 1944. Selected No. 4 MKI rifles were sent to Holland & Holland for conversion to sniper configuration. The No. 4 MK I (T) is generally considered to be the most accurate and durable sniper rifle issued by any of the WWII combatants. The rifle and telescopic sight have a dull, black phosphate finish on most components. The stock and forearm are oil-finished walnut. The stock is fitted with the distinctive sniper cheek rest. The telescopic sight has the standard pointer and cross-wire reticule with click adjustable windage knobs. The cast mount is attached to the receiver by two large clamping screws that attach to pads screwed to the sides of the receiver. The telescopic sight and mount are numbered to the rifle. The clamping screws enable the telescopic sight to be removed from the rifle and re-installed with minimal sight adjustment. The rifle is fitted with a special modified rear sight that has the battle sight removed to provide clearance for the scope but retains the screw-adjustable peep. The additional sling swivel installed on No. 4 MK I (T) sniper rifles is located in front of the magazine. The left side of the rifle butt-socket is stamped with the manufacturer's code, the date of manufacture, serial number and "Telescope Rifle" designation in four lines: "M47C/1944/G36967/TR". "T" is boldly stamped on the left side of the receiver indicating that the rifle was selected for sniper conversion. The Holland & Holland "S 51" code is stamped on the bottom of the butt seat; the "S 51" code was applied to all No. 4 MK I (T) rifles converted by Holland & Holland. The rifle serial number, "G36967" is stamped on the left side of the scope mount, the rear of the bolt handle and on the bottom of the ten-round magazine. The telescopic sight tube is stamped: "TEL: STG: No 32 MK 2/1/U.I.C. O.S. 1400G.A./No.365" followed by the British Army 'Broad Arrow' property mark. The telescopic sight serial number, "365" is stamped on the stock wrist. The rear scope rings are numbered "162" and front rings are numbered "163". The rear face of the receiver is stamped with a "Crown/DG/E" inspection mark on the left side of the bolt hole and "Crown/E/7F" on the right. The rifle is complete with a russet leather lens cover with Broad Arrow markings and a WWII web sling.

Condition: Excellent. The rifle appears to be un-issued and retains 98% of the original black phosphate finish. Finish loss is limited to some edge wear on the magazine and trigger guard. The scope and mount have 97% of the dull black finish with some minor finish loss on the forward edge caused by contact with the lens cover. Both the windage and elevation knobs turn freely. The scope optics are clear and bright. All of the markings on the rifle, telescopic sight and mount are crisp. The stock, forearm and handguard are all excellent with crisp markings and almost no handling or storage wear. This is an outstanding example of a WWII production British No. 4 MK I (T) Sniper Rifle that would be difficult to improve upon.

Attachment 15920 - Attachment 15921 - Attachment 15922 - Attachment 15923 - Attachment 15924

Regards,
Badger

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