1447 DESIRABLE BRITISH 1945 DATED NO. 4 MK. 1 (T) BOLT

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,250.00 USD
Estimated at 2,500.00 - 4,000.00 USD
ACTION SNIPER RIFLE WITH SCOPE TRANSIT CASE. Cal. 303 British. S# X31742. Bbl. 25". Desirable No. 4 Mk. 1 bolt action rifle mfg. by Birmingham Small Arms in 1945, and subsequently converted into a No. 4 Mk. I (T) bolt action sniper rifle by Holland & Holland. The left side of the receiver socket is marked "M47C/ 1945/ X31742/ TR", indicating mfg. by BSA in 1945 and that this example's accuracy was found suitable enough to be a sniper rifle. The left side of the receiver wall is faintly marked "No. 4 Mk. 1" over the S#, followed by a stamped "T". Right side of the receiver is marked with a Crown/GP proof above "ENGLAND". Underside of bbl. exhibits British export proofs. Underside of the buttstock is stamped "S 51" indicating conversion by Holland & Holland, with British proofs present on the underside of the wrist and a matching S# to the scope marked over the top of the wrist. Underside of the forend exhibits British proofs and a matching S# to the receiver. No. 32 Mk. III scope is marked "TEL STG No 32 MK III/ OS 2039 A/ AK & S No 28161/ 1945", with a "W" painted in red on the right and a "B" painted on the left in blue. Left side of the scope mount exhibits a matching S# to the receiver, with the right side of the scope rings exhibiting proper consecutive numbers at the front and rear and matching numbers on the upper and lower rings. Metal components exhibit a parkerized finish, save for the bbl., front sight assembly, and front bbl. band, as well as the stock nose cap, which exhibits a blue finish. Rifle is mounted with a Boyt brown leather sling. MAGS: 1 10-rd. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: original non-matching steel scope case, exhibiting a green painted exterior that is stamped "OS.906A/ CAGE STG. TEL. No8./ B & Co" above "RIFLE V37748" in white painted characters. CONDITION: metal components retain the majority of their period arsenal finishes, exhibiting some scattered spots of mild wear and thinning, as well as a few superficial handling marks overall. Brilliant mirror bore, exhibiting well-defined rifling throughout. Wood furniture shows a few marks and minor impressions from handling and storage, but otherwise is very good overall. Scope retains a clear and sharp optic. Exterior of the scope transit case exhibits scattered spots of mild wear, flaking, and oxidation but otherwise presents nicely. PROVENANCE: from the Working Reference Collection of Military Arms Instructor, Master Sergeant Vincent Pestilli. (23-7468/MLW). CURIO. $2,500-4,000.