Page 297 - 88-BOOK2

LOT 1324
Exceptional World War II British BSA No. 4 Mk I (T) Enfield Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with Matching Mount, Scope, Scout Regiment Spotting Scope, Transit Chest and Accessories - Serial no. AN7227, 303 British cal., 25 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This BSA manufactured No. 4 Mk I (T) Enfield Sniper rifle is fitted with a No. 32 Mk III scope and mount. “M47/1943/AN7227” 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. The correct British acceptance proofs are located on the underside of the stock at the wrist along with “S51” behind the pistol grip area indicating conversion by H&H. Matching serial number “AN7227” marked on the bolt handle. The scope is marked “TEL. STG. No 32 Mk 3/OS.2039A/(logo)/No 20240” on the tube, and it has the standard post and cross-hair reticle pattern and is fitted in a cast scope mount matching serial numbered to the rifle “AN7227” on the left ahead of a lined out number. The top wrist of the stock is stamped with number “20240” (below an X’d out number) to match the scope tube. Includes brown leather scope lens covers, two brown leather slings, a green painted wooden sniper rifle transit chest with No. 15 Mk. I white painted stencil letters on the side, green painted metal scope case containing two scope tools, and a World War I era leather wrapped brass spotting telescope marked “BROADHURST CLARKSON & Co Ltd/69 FENCHURCH St/E.C.3”. 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: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% plus wartime arsenal applied blue finish. Wood is very fine as arsenal refurbished, with some light handling marks and mostly crisp stampings. Mechanically excellent. Scope is excellent with 98% black painted finish and crisp clear optics. Included transit chest is fine, with one absent retaining latch and a few torn sections on one of the leather carrying handles (included separately). The spotting scope exhibits a darkened patina on the brass with clear optics. The remaining accessories are in fine order. Estimate: 6,500 - 8,500
LOT 1325
Very Scarce and Desirable World War I British Enfield SMLE No.1 Mk III* Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with Aldis Pattern No. 3 Scope on Holland & Holland Mounts - Serial no. 14719, 303 British cal., 25 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is both a desirable and very scarce example of a World War I SMLE No. 1 Mk III* sniper rifle with the Aldis No. 3 pattern scope on Holland & Holland offset mounts. There were a variety of mounts and scopes made by different manufacturers and fitted to SMLE rifles for British use in the World War I, with the Aldis brand scopes considered to be the best made. By the end of World War I, a reported 9,788 SMLE sniper rifles were supplied and passed inspection by Enfield’s Chief Inspector of Small Arms, with a very limited amount of these sniper rifles surviving today. 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 sniper rifles in more effective roles. Blade front and windage adjustable tangent rear sights, with the 1918 date and model markings on the right of the stock socket, and the matching serial number marked on the receiver, bolt, and rear sight. “ALDIS BROTHERS/BIRMINGHAM/No 68481/1916.” marked on top of the scope objective. The Holland & Holland scope bases are installed with screws to the left of the receiver, with “HOLLAND & HOLLAND/365” neatly inscribed on top of the rear scope ring and matching number “365” marked on the front scope base. Includes a period brown leather sling. Related information can be found in the book “The British Sniper” by Ian Skennerton, with a whole chapter on World War I British SMLE sniper rifles between pages 39-76, and this Aldis scope and H&H mount configuration is depicted with related information on pages 230-231 in which it indicates approximately 700+ were produced this way. CONDITION: Very good, retains 50% arsenal refurbished blue finish with some scattered patches of light to mild pitting. Wood is also very good with numerous scattered scratches and dents, and a few small chips around the brass disc. Scope is fine, retains 90% original blue finish on the tube and rings, 75% original black painted finish on the brass, and crisp clear optics with functional range adjustment. Mechanically excellent. A highly desirable example of a World War I British SMLE sniper rifle with Aldis scope that would make a fine addition to any British military or sniper rifle collection!
Estimate: 6,500 - 11,000 295