I can confirm that Roger Payne's opinion on any No. 4 (T) sniper rifle carries a LOT of authority in the collecting fraternity.
This is definitely an early WWII rifle ("pre-war" to our American friends ;-)
It was made by the Royal Ordnance Factory Maltby in England in 1941, serial number 3198A. The "A" as a suffix indicated that the rifle had non-standard parts The fore stock is the low wood version seen on early 1930s No. 4 MK. I rifles as they copied the Trials No.4 MK. I stock configuration, even though the 1940s production models did not have the magazine cut-off. The foresight protector is the first pattern, the scarce MK. I "wasp waist" as used on the 1930's Trials No. 4 MK. I and 1st year production No. 4 MK. I in the UK and Canada but not the USA. The upper band was made by Enfield (it has the EFD monogram) and may be the rare early hinged type as used on the Trials No. 4 rifles. Not many Maltby made No. 4 MK. I's were converted to sniper equipment, so it is uncommon. The scope serial number stamped into the wrist is 3721 and there may have been an earlier scope serial number above that. Older scope number were cancelled out.
Lancer506's telescope No. 32 MK. II serial number 15277 was made in 1944 and is, as Dr. Payne stated, too late for being the first scope assigned to this rifle. Although many rifles had later scopes replace earlier scopes due to loss, damage or upgrading, this rifle is not numbered to this scope. This scope, in a Rose Brothers made bracket is numbered to rifle AT9653. I agree with Dr. Payne that AT9653 was made by BSA in 1943. I have No. 4 MK. I (T) rifle serial number AT4872 and it too was made in 1943 at the BSA Shirley factory. Therefore I conclude that this scope and bracket were neither assigned nor fitted to this rifle in service. It is what we call "mismatched". Sadly perhaps as many as 90% of the No. 4 sniper sets in North America are mismatched as most surplus dealers did not bother to match up the correct scope/bracket/case to the rifle when they were were sold. Your set is still valuable, displayable and shootable, but it is a bit like a restored 1966 Mustang with a swapped out engine from a 1969 Mustang. On Milsrups.com there is Angel's Matching Service where people can post under Rifles looking for scopes (in your case Rifle 3198A looking for scope 3721 - a No. 32 MK. I made by HBM Co. i.e. Houghton-Butcher; and scope 15277 looking for rifle AT9653) Matching up a rifle and scope is difficult but the Internet has made it much easier. I have matched up two such sets in the last month.
If Lancer506 would have a look and photograph and [post pictures of two areas of his rifle, it would be appreciated, as it would likely determine which facility converted the rifle to sniper equipment.
* If "S51" is stamped into the butt, on the bottom, just aft of the pistol grip, then it was converted by Holland and Holland. Most of the No.4 MK. I (T) rifles had this mark.
* If there is no "S51" and there is a small inspection stamp on top of the front scope pad (on the rifle), then it was converted by Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield.
This is definitely an early WWII rifle ("pre-war" to our American friends ;-)
It was made by the Royal Ordnance Factory Maltby in England in 1941, serial number 3198A. The "A" as a suffix indicated that the rifle had non-standard parts The fore stock is the low wood version seen on early 1930s No. 4 MK. I rifles as they copied the Trials No.4 MK. I stock configuration, even though the 1940s production models did not have the magazine cut-off. The foresight protector is the first pattern, the scarce MK. I "wasp waist" as used on the 1930's Trials No. 4 MK. I and 1st year production No. 4 MK. I in the UK and Canada but not the USA. The upper band was made by Enfield (it has the EFD monogram) and may be the rare early hinged type as used on the Trials No. 4 rifles. Not many Maltby made No. 4 MK. I's were converted to sniper equipment, so it is uncommon. The scope serial number stamped into the wrist is 3721 and there may have been an earlier scope serial number above that. Older scope number were cancelled out.
Lancer506's telescope No. 32 MK. II serial number 15277 was made in 1944 and is, as Dr. Payne stated, too late for being the first scope assigned to this rifle. Although many rifles had later scopes replace earlier scopes due to loss, damage or upgrading, this rifle is not numbered to this scope. This scope, in a Rose Brothers made bracket is numbered to rifle AT9653. I agree with Dr. Payne that AT9653 was made by BSA in 1943. I have No. 4 MK. I (T) rifle serial number AT4872 and it too was made in 1943 at the BSA Shirley factory. Therefore I conclude that this scope and bracket were neither assigned nor fitted to this rifle in service. It is what we call "mismatched". Sadly perhaps as many as 90% of the No. 4 sniper sets in North America are mismatched as most surplus dealers did not bother to match up the correct scope/bracket/case to the rifle when they were were sold. Your set is still valuable, displayable and shootable, but it is a bit like a restored 1966 Mustang with a swapped out engine from a 1969 Mustang. On Milsrups.com there is Angel's Matching Service where people can post under Rifles looking for scopes (in your case Rifle 3198A looking for scope 3721 - a No. 32 MK. I made by HBM Co. i.e. Houghton-Butcher; and scope 15277 looking for rifle AT9653) Matching up a rifle and scope is difficult but the Internet has made it much easier. I have matched up two such sets in the last month.
If Lancer506 would have a look and photograph and [post pictures of two areas of his rifle, it would be appreciated, as it would likely determine which facility converted the rifle to sniper equipment.
* If "S51" is stamped into the butt, on the bottom, just aft of the pistol grip, then it was converted by Holland and Holland. Most of the No.4 MK. I (T) rifles had this mark.
* If there is no "S51" and there is a small inspection stamp on top of the front scope pad (on the rifle), then it was converted by Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield.
Comment