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VERY RARE AND DESIRABLE BRITISH WWI SMLE BOLT

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
VERY RARE AND DESIRABLE BRITISH WWI SMLE BOLT
ACTION SNIPER RIFLE. Cal. 303 Brit. S# U6439. Bbl. 25 1/8". S# matches on receiver & bolt. Rifle was adopted to fill demands for sniper rifles during WWI & they were standard issue MKIII & MKIII "star" rifles & fitted w/ various makes of telescopes. The Periscopic Prism Company of London contracted to make a quantity of these rifles, however the contract was eventually taken over by the ministry of munitions due to problems w/ in the company. These rifles were slowly replaced by the pattern 1914 Sniper Rifles which had a stronger action. The SMLE Sniper Rifles were declared obsolete in 1921 & most were returned to Weedon to be stripped & the telescopes were sold. Rifle import marked on right receiver rail. Rifle marked on right side of butt socket w/ crown "GR" "ENFIELD" "1915" "SHTLE" "III". Receiver ring marked on left side w/ crown "BNP Proof" & Crown ER & "crossed flags", view mark & "P." "Crown 35" "E" "D" "31". Receiver markings on right rear of butt socket include 2 "X"'s & "S" possibly indicating rifle sold out of service. Bbl. marked behind rear sight base w/ "SC" indicating (small cone) enlarged for Mark 7 Ball & "HV" high velocity for use w/ Mark 7 Ball. Tangent rear sight w/ windage adj. graduated to 2000m. Blade front sight. Volley sights are present. Rear aperture is replacement. Receiver fitted w/ mag. cutoff. Nose cap has solid protective ears, bayonet lug & stacking swivel. Bolt has rnd. cocking piece. Walnut stock set. Front handguard is replacement. Buttstock has brass trap buttplate & steel marking disk w/ an "L". Transverse screw at front of trigger guard is not present. Rifle has steel dovetail scope mt. w/ spring catch & fitted to left side of receiver & secured by 5 screws. The approx. 2 power telescopic sight is offset to the left of bore line. Scope marked on top "PERISCOPIC PRISM COMPANY LTD. LONDON" Additionally marked w/ broad arrow. Scope has brass & steel construction w/ range drum mounted on top graduated from 200 to 600yds. Post reticle w/ pointed top. Scope adj. for focus. MAGS: replacement 10 rd. CONDITION: stock set has moderate wear, dents, scratches & staining throughout commensurate w/ long, careful service. Forend has period repair of forend extending from the butt socket underneath the folding volley sight to the receiver ring, ending in a dovetail. Neat replacement wood repair is approx. 3/8" wide. Forend has sm. crack above trigger on left side between brass reinforcing pin & volley sight aperture. There are sm. chipping issues around edges of trigger guard. Front handguard has sm. missing chip on forward right end. Receiver bolt & trigger guard have lg. percentage of original finish. Rear sight nose cap & several screw heads have enhanced finish. Volley sight aperture has notable pitted appearance. Scope mt. has notably thin finish w/ light wear. Telescope tube has worn, blue finish w/ areas of peppery oxidation. Brass components have a good amount of original black finish w/ flaking & scratches. Adjustments work freely, optics appear clear & serviceable although left horizontal bar of reticle has appearance of 2 sm. perpendicular "hairs". Bore is shiny w/ lightly worn lands. (21-1556/RW). CURIO. $4,000-6,000.