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Excellent British No. 4 MK I (T) Sniper Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,400.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
Excellent British No. 4 MK I (T) Sniper Rifle
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.
BBL: 25 In
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 303 British
Finish: Phosopate
Grips:
Serial Number: G36967
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.