British L42A1 Enfield Sniper Rifle with 3X telescopic sight, sight case and wooden transit case. The rifle has a 27 1/2-inch long heavy weight, hammer-forged barrel, 10-round detachable magazine and oil-finished birch half stock with sniper cheek-piece. The rifle and telescopic sight have a black enamel finish. The barrel retains the No.4 MKI service rifle front sight and folding aperture rear sight. The rear sight was modified for sniper use by removal of the battle aperture. The rifle has a third, target sling swivel attached to a king pin in front of the magazine. The stock has a brass buttplate with butt trap. The telescopic sight is a modified WWII issue No.32 scope that has been recalibrated for meters and the 7.62 MM cartridge. The sight has the standard British post and cross-hair reticule and is attached to the rifle by two screws that mate to scope blocks on the left side of the receiver. The mount is designed so that the scope can be removed from the rifle, re-attached and retain the original zero. The left side of the receiver is roll stamped with the model designation: "L42A1" followed by the year of production "D71" (1971) and "T" indicating that the receiver was selected for modification for a sniper rifle during WWII. The left side of the butt-socket is stamped with the manufacturer's code "M47C" (BSA), the date of production, "1945", the serial number, "V37868" and the sniper rifle designation "TR". The serial number is also stamped on the forearm below the sling swivel, inscribed on the bottom of the magazine, stamped on the back side of the bolt handle and on the left side of the telescopic sight mount. The telescopic sight serial number, "25235" is located on the telescopic sight and stamped on the top of the stock wrist behind the receiver. All of the serial numbers match; the telescopic sight and scope mount are correctly serial numbered to the rifle. The scope mounts are sequentially serial numbered "H17" and "H18". The scope mount and stock each have a second serial number that was lined out when the rifle was converted from a WWII caliber .303 No.4 MK. I (T) sniper rifle to a 7.62MM L42A1 sniper rifle in 1971. The original WWII sight designation "No.32 MK III is lined out and the scope has been re-stamped with the new designation: "TEL.STRT.STG.L1A1". The rifle is complete with a green painted steel No.8 MARK I scope can. The can is marked with the scope serial number, "25235" on the lid and typed zeroing instructions glued to the inside. A label on the inside of the chest identifies it as: "CHEST RIFLE 7.62MM L42A1". The L42A1 was adopted by the British Army in 1970 as a 7.62MM replacement for the WWII .303 No.4 MK I (T) sniper rifle. Selected No. 4.MK I (T) rifles were fitted wit a heavy barreled shortened forend, hand-guards, modified triggers and the recalibrated L1A1 Telescopic Sight. The rifles were fitted with a modified transit chest to accommodate the equipment and accessories issued with each rifle. Total production was under 2000 rifles. The L42A1 remained in British service until around 1991. Approximately 750 surviving L42A1 rifles were sold as surplus and the remainder were destroyed by the Ministry of Defense. The L42A1 is one of the rarest, most accurate and most desirable British sniper rifles. Examples with matching serial numbers, telescopic sights and scope cans are scarce.

Excellent as arsenal refurbished. The rifle appears to have seen limited use after conversion and retains most of the black painted finish on the barrel, receiver, magazine, trigger guard, scope and mount. The telescopic sight optics are excellent and the windage and elevation knobs turn freely. The replacement forearm and hand guard are in new condition with minimal handling and storage wear. The but stock as refinished during the conversion and is in very good condition. The cheek-piece has three arsenal splices to a crack on the right side. The scope can is in excellent condition with minimal wear. The transit case exterior is in very good condition with moderate handling wear and the interior is excellent. This is an excellent example of a highly accurate and very desirable British L42A1 sniper rifle.