Milsurp After Hours

Took a flier at an Enfield No.4 Mk1 Sniper today, some unanswered questions about this rifle, but it was the consensus of several respected collectors that I couldn't get hurt for the price.

All that's left now is the waiting.

Looks nice, is it complete with the box?

DuncaninFrance wrote:Looks nice, is it complete with the box?

No,unfortunately Duncan it has no box or scope can, lots of odd things with this one, some experts think it might be a POF (Pakistani) manufactured sniper but won't know until it's been broken down. Got it on the cheap for less than the value of the scope and mount.

Smells a bit fishy then, I don;'t see why it should be a give away price if it is legit..............keep us posted Walt!

DuncaninFrance wrote:Smells a bit fishy then, I don;'t see why it should be a give away price if it is legit..............keep us posted Walt!

Had several respected collectors verify the scope and mount are legit, and sell for between $2500/$2800 here in the states. I got $2200. Into it including shipping so I am pretty much on the right side of this deal even if the rifle turns out to be a pig in lipstick.

Here is something I turned up in my collection of milsurp magazines. Hardly earth shaking news but some general stuff for those of us who are ignorant....like me.

From Man at Arms for the Gun Collector:
The No 4 Mk I (T) was officially adopted Feb 12, 1942. It used the No. 31 Scope designed for the Bren Light Michine gun. The first 1400 were assembled at Enfield, the Royal Ordanance Factory using No. 4 trials rifles. After the original 1400 the "overwhelming" majority of the rifles were set up by Holland and Holland. Holland and Holland has a number of 24,777 as produced.

Critical examination remark.... the scope number should appear on the butt stock just behind the cocking piece.


I did notice the one in the magazine had a hollow bolt handle knob...like the No. 5 carbine. I have one No. 4 , not a sniper, with a hollow knob and it was apparently owned by South African Navy and the arsenal isn't marked on the band after the trigger guard. My other 4's and 3's have solid bolt knobs. Have no idea what any of this means as far as Walt's new rifle is concerned but it looks like the new addition might have a solid knob....although from the photo I can't be sure.

I have a copy of 'The British Sniper' and also 'The Lee Enfield', both by Ian Skennerton so if you need anything looking up just let me know.............

So what's with the hollow bolt knob? Some factories....like Savage maybe.. make them that way and others not? Maybe an "improvement" later in production?

Maltby, Fazakerley, Long Branch and Savage No. 4s had solid bolt handles. BSA Shirley No. 4s had hollow blot handles.
Once in use there may well have been exchanges....

Also see;

http://oldbritishguns.com/smle-no-4

Exciting!

I hope it turns out.

-ArchFluffy