Lot 1413: Winchester - Pattern 14 Sniper Rifle

This is a fine example of a scarce Winchester Pattern 14 sniper rifle fitted with BSA Model 1918 Telescopic Sight. This is one of a approximately 75 Pattern 14 MK I*W(T) that were arsenal refurbished by the British for the Irish Free State during the early 1930s. The Irish Pattern 14 Sniper Rifles were never actually issued for use during WWII with most being sold as surplus in the United States by the Irish government during the 1950s. The top of the receiver ring and the left side of the rear side of the receiver "ear" are fitted with a double claw front scope base with a single claw scope mount on the rear similar to the early German GEW sniper rifles. The serial number on the receiver is covered by the scope base; however, the right side of the rear sight protective ear is stamped with the rifle serial number: "W241879". The left side of the receiver is stamped with the British "Broad Arrow" property mark and "British Crossed Pennant/G.R." proofmark. The bolt handle is stamped with the Winchester "W" on the underside and the serial number "241879" and a five-pointed star on the top. The right side of the stock is stamped with faint "IW/PATTERN 14" in a circle just in front of the brass identification disk. The end of the stock forearm is stamped "W/35". The back side of the rear scope mount has the distinctive circled "FF" Irish Free State marking and the telescopic sight tube is stamped with the "three stacked rifles/B.S.A." trademark on top with the rear eyepiece marked "MODEL/1918". The left side of the scope tube is correctly numbered "241879". The telescopic sight has a post and cross-hair reticle and the elevation knob is correctly marked "1-12" (100-1200 meters). The rifle has the standard blade front sight and the tangent rear sight graduated from 2-17 (200-1,700 meters) with the fine elevation adjustment screw fitted on the side that was only issued on British Pattern 14 Sniper Rifles. The long-range volley front and rear sights on the left side of the receiver and forearm were removed during the sniper conversion. The rifle and scope have a matching dull blue arsenal refinish. The bolt body has been polished bright. The stock and handguard are oil-finished black walnut. It is complete with a web sling.

Fine with 80% of the arsenal refurbished blue finish remaining overall. The scope and scope mounts retain 20% of their blue finish with the brass components (elevation dial and complete front eye piece) having lost their black painted exterior finish. The revarnished stock and handguard are both in very good condition, having been lightly sanded overall at the time of the conversion. A very nice condition, all matching, and very scarce Irish contract Pattern 14 MkI* W (T) sniper rifle with the 1918 pattern sniper scope.