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LOT 3447
Very Scarce Irish Contract Winchester Pattern 14
No. 3. Mk I* (T) Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with Matching Number BSA Scope
- Serial no. W217367, 303 British cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is a very fine
example of a scarce Winchester Pattern 14 sniper rifle fitted with BSA Model 1918 Telescopic Sight. This is one of
approximately 75 Pattern 14 MK I*W(T) rifles 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 World War
II with most being sold as surplus in the United States by the Irish government during the 1950s. 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 trademark above “B.S.A.”
on top, the matching serial number “217367” on the left, with the rear eyepiece marked “1918/MODEL”. The long range aperture sight on the receiver and left of the forearm were likely removed during the sniper
conversion. The rifle serial number was covered by the front scope mount as part of the sniper modification, and the serial number
“W217367” is panta-graphed on the right of the rear sight protector. Matching serial number “217367” on the bolt handle. Winchester “W” markings on the inside of
the buttplate trap door, bolt handle, bayonet lug, and front sight. The British “Broad Arrow” property mark is on the receiver, and British proof and inspection marks are on the receiver and
bolt handle. Includes a tan canvas sling and leather lens caps.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% of the arsenal refurbished blue finish remaining overall, with scattered light pitting underneath the finish. The brass components on the scope retain 70% of their black painted exterior finish collectively, and the scope has slightly hazy optics. The refinished stock is very good, having been lightly sanded overall at the time of the conversion. Mechanically excellent. A very scarce Irish contract Pattern 14 MkI* W (T) sniper rifle with the 1918 pattern sniper scope.
Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000
Very Fine World War II British BSA No. 4 Mk I (T) Enfield Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with Matching Scope, Scout Regiment Spotting Scope, and Transit Chest - Serial no. N31670, 303 British cal., 25 inch round bbl., blue/gray finish, walnut stock. This BSA manufactured No. 4 Mk I (T) Enfield sniper rifle is fitted with a No. 32 Mk I scope and mount. “M47C/1944/N31670” marked on the left of the stock socket. The comb of the stock has a hardwood cheekpiece held on with two wood screws. Standard blade front sight and absent rear sight. Matching serial number “N31670” also marked on the bolt handle and stamped on the bottom of the forend. “16713” stamped on top of the wrist area of the buttstock matching the scope which is marked “TEL STG No 32 Mk III/OS 2039 A/AK&S No16713” above a broad arrow on the tube, with the standard post and cross-hair reticle pattern, and is fitted in a cast scope mount matching serial numbered to the rifle “N31670” (a few numbers overstamped) on the left. Includes a green painted No. 15 Mk. I wooden sniper rifle transit chest, brown leather sling, rifle scope case with original label inside the lid that reads “Telescope 16713/Serial No. N31670”, brown leather rifle scope lens covers, and leather wrapped brass spotting telescope with leather case. Traditionally carried by the “observer” (or spotter) in a two-man sniper team, the Scout Regiment scope provided a high power optic that was very useful for spotting enemy forces that were either camouflaged or concealed in deep foliage, which could potentially include enemy snipers. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% wartime arsenal applied gray finish and 90% blue finish. Wood is also very fine as arsenal refurbished, with some light handling marks and mostly crisp stampings. Mechanically excellent. Scope is very good, retains 70% gray finish with some light pitting on the tube, 70% black painted finish on the dial base, with clear optics. Spotting scope is very good, with non-viewable foggy optics. Transit chest is very good, with replacement leather carry handles. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,000
LOT 3448
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