[JIMMY C]

I picked up a No4 Mk1 (T) with original scope today . It was so cheap I won't even bother to talk about the price. Now the down side....The wood on the rifle has been replaced with a sporter stock, and the metal polished and blued.

On the up side the scope, a No32 Mk III made by AK & S dated 1945 with a broad arrow proof is in original and perfect condition.

The rifle and scope all match.

So what now. Go on a quest for parts to put it back to original or sell off the pieces?

No pictures yet as I just brought it home.

 

[mike radford]

I would buy a scopeless sniper and you are set. There were 2 for sale on gunbroker when I bought one a couple months ago. The scopes are hard to find and expensive. Congratulations.

 

[JAYFMT]

I would buy a scopeless sniper and you are set. There were 2 for sale on gunbroker when I bought one a couple months ago. The scopes are hard to find and expensive. Congratulations.

Century has cut their price on theirs from around 650.00 or something close to that to 300.00 something. Got an email at work on it today.

 

[JAYFMT]

The wood on the rifle has been replaced with a sporter stock,

Did they replace the original butt stock also? You could also buy a replacement No 4 stock set and get some of the books on T's as they may tell you what was done to the original stocks when they were converted. Try getting in touch with Brian **** at www.bdlltd.com, he may be able to help.

 

[Noble Sniper]

Hang on to it........... find a peice here and a piece there. Sounds like you got into it right so make something of it. Don't see them everyday. Congrats NS

 

[jlk47]

I bought original cheekpieces from www.apexgunparts.com. They are well
used but clean up nicely. I've had luck finding everything but scopes . . .
Still 'need' an L1A1 for an L42.

Good Luck

 

[JAYFMT]

Copy of Century ad

RI017S-G Original Enfield No. 4 MK1 Sniper Rifle w/ Scope Base Cal. .303
Was $699.87 each Now $399.87 each

 

[JIMMY C]

I saw the Century add. I'm leary of them as their condition is probably poor.

Thanks for the tip on the cheek pieces jlk47!

 

[Big commander]

Not that my post is very important but maybe not all collectors know that the original metallic container of the scope had also a glued on paper on the inside of the lid that mentioned the number of the rifle it was supplied for. The few containers I've seen had that number typed by an old typing machine and the number was cut off with scissors from the page that contained a lot of numbers of other rifles.

 

[JIMMY C]

Well here are a few quick photos...... What a shame. But as I said the scope is mint and original.

 

[JAYFMT]

Very nice score, looks great.

Jay

 

[340mech]

If the scope bracket serial number matches the receiver, then you really ought to keep it together. The brackets were hand fitted to the rifles to ensure full contact against the pads and proper alignment with the bore-a painstaking process. Although brackets will fit other rifles, they won't be perfect. A black paint finish would be appropriate to cover the polished metal.

 

[JIMMY C]

Yes it all matches.

 

[Bill In Indiana]

If the scope bracket serial number matches the receiver, then you really ought to keep it together. The brackets were hand fitted to the rifles to ensure full contact against the pads and proper alignment with the bore-a painstaking process. Although brackets will fit other rifles, they won't be perfect. A black paint finish would be appropriate to cover the polished metal.

+1.... This would be a fairly easy resto...keep it together!!!!! Nice find!!!

 

[Ross280]

Ditto.

The fact that whoever sporterized it did not chop the barrel or otherwise change the metal suggests they may have wanted to keep the option of restoring it open. Which could mean the original woodwork is stuck in someone's rafters still. Worth tracing back it's owners and checking.

Glass bead, parkerize and paint black. Plug the bore when parkerizing.

 

[Hal O'Peridol]

Ditto.

Glass bead, parkerize and paint black. Plug the bore when parkerizing.

DON"T do the above, refinishing the rifle will cause it to loose even more of what is left of the collector value.

The finish looks great just as it is.

There are many No4MkI stock sets around, most for under 100 dollars. Get a british marked walnut set without the "Ishy" screw.

Springfield sporters will probably be your best bet.

A minimal resto with just the stock and you have a 2000 to 2500 dollar rifle.

 

[viking52]

Jimmy C you just had a great day! Definitely keep original and restock. Things are only original once. Nice find. These rifles are precision instruments with significant history. We owner/collectors should appreciate and care for them. Really.

 

[Ross280]

I guess I should qualify my previous comment to say that I would leave the scope and bracket alone of course. A buffed and blued No4(T) has no more value or interest from being buffed and blued, less actually, nor does the refinish have any historical significance. If it is going to be restocked in military wood, it makes sense to me to return the finish to the original phosphated and painted finish - though in some cases it seems to have been just phosphating.

 

[Vic]

It looks like a piece of cake. The wood is less then a 100.00 fix and the magazine maybe 35.00 The metal-leave it alone. Your back in business for less then 150.00

Great find Jimmy.

 

[bones92]

Ditto Vic and the others: totally doable restoration.

Heck, I'd even consider rolling the dice on a Century TR in the hopes that you get a decent stock set, especially if the butt is S51 marked and has the cheek piece.

Would be a shame to part it out as the important parts are all there.