Holland & Holland H&H Upgraded Enfield No4 Mk1-T Sniper Model & Scope, Import-Marked, Black 25” Rare WWII Bolt Action Rifle & Sling, MFD 1944 C&R

Sold For: $3,966.00
LSB#: 160825MD22

Make: Enfield. BSA Shirley, England

Model: No4 MkI (T)

Serial Number: L32476

Year of Manufacture: 1944

Caliber: .303 British

Action Type: Bolt Action, Detachable Magazine

Markings: The import mark on the left side of the stock collar reads “ENGLAND”. The left side of the receiver is marked (faintly) “No.4 Mk.I” and “T” (signifying a No.32 telescope had been fitted, and the combination had met all inspections). The left front of the receiver is marked with a “crown / BMP” proof; the rear is marked two “crowned” inspection stamps. The right front of the receiver is marked “S”. The stock collar is marked with the serial number, “M47C” (the code for BSA Shirley), “1944” and “TR” (the final inspection proof prior to being upgraded by Holland & Holland). The front of the magazine well is marked “M47C” and “C”. The safety is marked “M47C”. The middle barrel band is marked with an “arrow” and “S.126”. The top of the nose cap is marked “S76”. The front sight is marked “S232” (upside down) on the rear and “+0” & “ROFB” on the top. The face of the front sight wings is marked with an “arrow head” and “N67”. The rear sight is marked “N87” twice. The rear of the bolt handle is marked with the serial number and with a “crossed flags” proof. The bottom of the bolt handle knob is marked with a “crown / BNP” proof. The bolt head is marked “0” and with an over stamped “crossed flags”. The top of the grip is marked the scope’s serial number “17165”. The bottom of the grip is marked with an “arrow head”, “SL / N / 74” and with two “crowned” inspection stamps. The underside of the buttstock is marked “S 51” which is a Holland and Holland mark. The underside of the stock, to the rear of the middle barrel band, is marked “9”. The underside of the forearm is marked with the last 5 digits of the serial number, “SL / N / 74”, “arrow” and with a “crowned” inspection stamp. The magazine follower is marked “M/8”, “arrow head” and “D”. The rear of the magazine is marked “M/8” and with an “arrow head”. The oversized sling loop screw is marked with an “arrow head”. The inside of the sling is marked “M.E.Co. 1941” and with a “boxed arrow head”. The outside of the sling is marked with a faded & blurred stamping that partially reads “ENGLAND”.

Barrel Length: Approximately 25 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set between two protective ears. The rear sight is a flip up sight ladder marked from “2 – 13”. There is no rear sight aperture when the ladder is down due to the scope.
The left side of the receiver has two threaded holes for accepting the scope base that is attached to the scope. The scope is a fixed 3 power with a post reticle. The upper left section of the view has a small hazy blur in a small portion of the view. It may be some debris on the interior of the lens. Otherwise, the glass appears clear. It appears to function correctly. The tube and knobs show scrapes, discoloration from oxidation and some areas of light frosting. The front of the tube’s brass is scraped and oxidized. The scope is attached to a one piece mount with two rings. The mounting screws are integral to the base. The scope is marked “TEL. SIGHTING / No 32 MK III / O.S. 2039 A / AK&S No 17165 / 1944 / arrow”. The top knob is marked “0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10”. The side knob is marked “16 12 8 4 0 4 8 12 16”. The two scope ring tops and matching base bottoms are marked “V699” (twice) and “V700” (twice) on the interior of the mount. The exterior of the scope base is marked “2” & with faded marks on the left well as with the rifle’s serial number on the right. The scope, rings and base are in about Very Good Plus condition. The scope comes with a one piece leather scope lens cover. It shows scrapes, surface cracks and discoloration. It is in about Very Good condition.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The four piece, hardwood stock has a straight grip, raised check piece, serrated upper hand guard, nose caps, two barrel bands, two sling loops, and a brass buttplate with hinged door for storage. The raised cheek piece is scalloped at the grip and is secured by two screws. The larger of the two scallops is on the left side. The left side of the grip shows a deep scrape and compression marks. The right side (under the receiver) and the left forearm (around the barrel band) show scrapes and scratches. The remainder of the wood shows various other scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Some are deep and have removed surface wood but have all been oiled. The buttplate shows oxidation and scratches. The LOP measures 13 1/4 from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good to Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Black

Finish Originality: Arsenal Refinished when Converted to a Sniper

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp & deep. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its finish. The front of the barrel, front sight, nosecaps and trigger guard all show scrapes and small scratches. The remainder of the finish shows light scrapes & handling marks. The screw heads show light use. Some of the markings are light. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork& Accessories: The rifle comes with a scope assembly; see above. It comes with a 10 round refinished magazine that shows light scrapes and light thinning. It is in about Very Good to Fine condition. The rifle also comes with a canvas sling that shows some discoloration & staining on the canvas as well as oxidation on the metal. It is in about Very Good to Fine condition.

Our Assessment: This is a rare Enfield No4 Mk1 (T) sniper rifle. It started out as an Enfield No4 Mk1 made at BSA Shirley. It was selected for its inherent accuracy and then upgraded to a sniper by Holland & Holland. It comes with a No. 32 Mk III scope assembly that is still in nice shape. The rifle is properly marked with the scope’s serial number on the top of the stocks wrist and the rifle’s serial number on the outside of the one piece scope base. This will be a Nice upgrade to your collection.
For an article on the process of taking a No4 Mk1 and making it into a sniper, please see: http://www.allaboutenfields.co.nz/links-resouces/articles/from-no4mk-i-t-l42-ai/. Good Luck.