Rare 1931 No. 4 Mk. I (T) sniper rifle, complete and matching

Rare 1931 No. 4 Mk. I (T) sniper rifle, complete and matching

The ONLY reason that it is offered for sale is that I am buying an old army jeep. 

This rifle was built as a Trials No. 4 Mk. I in 1931 by Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield (R.S.A.F. Enfield). Only 2,479 Trials No. 4 Mk. I rifles were made. In 1941-1942 it was one of the first 1,403 rifles converted by R.S.A.F. Enfield into sniper equipment No. 4 Mk. I (T). The rifle then served in the British Army through ALL of WWII (if only we knew where it served – Sicily, Italy, D-Day in Normandy, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Burma etc.?) and post-war service. In 1945 or later, it went through Factory Thorough Repair (F.T.R.). At that time a fresh 1945 barrel was installed and a new No. 32 Mk. 3 scope was fitted. This was all done officially as the rifle remained in service to at least Feb 7 1963 when it was checked and packed away.

It has the “T” mark on the left side of the body. Not all of the early conversions did. The unique R.S.A.F. Enfield inspection/examiner mark is on top of the front scope pad, confirming that it was one of the 1.403 first conversions.  

The backsight has the in-service modification described by Captain Peter Laidler (retired) where the underside of the backsight was ground away which allowed the bolt to be removed when the scope was still fitted. A very logical and practical modification, but the only one that I have seen among dozens of No. 4 (T) rifles.

Note that in WWII, Canadians were usually issued with Canadian made small arms, except for sniper rifles. Sniper rifles were pooled and then issued to British, Canadian and other Commonwealth troops, so this rifle could have been issued to a Canadian sniper.

During the F.T.R. many of the parts were replaced by the British Army as they only cared about serviceability. The original unique Mk. I backsight by R.S.A.F. Enfield in 1931 is still there as is the rare hinged upper band.

This set is amazing as it is 100% complete and all matching from when it left British Army service.

1931 No. 4 Mk. I (T) rifle s/n A1989 with MATCHING No. 32 Mk. 3 scope s/n 25455 and scope bracket s/n A1989. A1989 – is marked on body, bolt, magazine, fore-end, scope bracket.

No. 8 Mk. 2 canvas scope case, British, MATCHING s/n A1989 / 25455

No. 15 Mk. I wooden transit chest, British, MATCHING s/n A1989 Normally the chests were not permanently numbered to the rifle, but near the end of their service life, the British started marking them with black felt maa