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LOT 535
Exceptional World War II British Enfield
No. 4 Mk I (T) Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with No.
32 Mk III Scope, Transit Case and Accessories - Serial
no. G30561, 303 cal., 25 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood stock. Manufactured in 1944, the Number 4 Mark 1 (T) Sniper was the signature sniper weapon of Great Britain up to the 1960s, serving well in both World War II and Korea. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights, with the fixed “battle sight” properly removed from the latter to accommodate the scope. A set of British commercial “tonnage” proofs are present on the barrel, with the receiver ring marked “GP” and “ENGLAND”, “No.4 Mk.I” on the left side, and “M47C/1944/G30561/TR” on the left side of the socket. The matching serial number is present on the bolt handle and the forearm, with the buttstock unnumbered on the wrist and marked “S.L”, “broad arrow” and “S51” on the underside. A raised cheekpiece is properly screwed to the comb, with an alloy buttplate. The scope is installed in a ring set with “U36432” on the left, and “447” and “446” on the front and rear ring halves. The scope body bears the Number 32 Mk 3 nomenclature over “O.S. 2039 A. CTS No20113”. Included with the rifle is a green painted hardwood transit case, white stenciled “No. 15 Mk I” (sans serial number), and a green finished steel scope case which has been renumbered to match the scope. CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% of the original blue finish, showing mild edge wear and light handling marks. The stock is very fine, with streaks of thin varnish around the receiver on both the forearm and buttstock, along with scattered light dings and scratches. The transit case is fine, with mild scuffs and dings and absent straps, and the scope case is very good with mild wear. The scope body retains about 90% of the combination blue/black finish, showing areas of verdigris buildup, the reticle is solid and the optics are clear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 536
Enfield Mark III* Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with Scope and Documentation
- Serial no. 3751, 303 cal., 25 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood stock. Included with this rifle is an
inspection report from Ian Skennerton, noted author on Enfield rifles. In the report, he expresses the opinion that this is “a nice original example of a British service Great War sniper rifle”. While dedicated marksmen had been employed in military roles prior, the trenches of the Western Front were in many ways the birthplace of the modern military sniper, with both sides experimenting with small teams, specialist equipment, and techniques for stealthy advance and positioning. British experiments would include the use of high powered double barrel dangerous game rifles to punch through armored cover, as well as converted service rifles like this one; the latter would become the de-facto standard, and by World War II both the Axis and Allies would field rifles in this same pattern. Blade front and windage adjustable tangent rear sights, with the 1915 date and Enfield markings on the socket. A scope base, numbered to match the receiver, is installed with 5 screws on the frame, with the matching number repeated twice on the ring set. The scope is marked “PERISCOPIC PRISM/COMPANY Ltd./ LONDON”; Periscopic Prism Company (PPC) is deeply associated with this model, performing the scope installation for Britain much the same way that Griffin & Howe outfitted the M1C for Springfield Armory. Fitted with a smooth stock, with a leather sling and a brass buttplate. CONDITION: Very good as arsenal refurbished/repaired, with 50% of the blue finish, with areas of brown patina and mild handling marks. Some components, like the rear sight staff, have been renumbered to match the receiver. The stock is good, with a spliced-in repair on the left side along with a number of scuffs, dents and scratches. The scope shows mild wear and finish loss on the exterior, with the optics in good order and the reticle strong. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 537
Excellent Fabrique Nationale Venezuelan Contract Model 1949 Semi-Automatic Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 2945, 7x57 mm cal., 23 inch round bbl., black finish, hardwood stock. Blade front and tangent rear sights, with the Venezuelan coat of arms on the chamber and matching numbers on the receiver, dust cover, bolt carrier and bolt. Fitted with a smooth pistol grip stock and a brown leather sling. Also included with the lot is a knife bayonet, sheath and frog. CONDITION: Excellent, with 97% plus original black finish, with mild wear concentrated on the muzzle device and bayonet lug, and some bright edge wear. The stock is very fine, with some dark spots
around the buttplate, contrasting color on the upper handguard, and light scratches and dings overall. The bayonet is fine , with spotting and dings, and the frog shows wear and cracking. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,250
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