Early Trials Holland & Holland Enfield No4 Mk1 .303 Bolt Action Sniper Rifle 1933

SOLD FOR: $6,603
Make: 
Enfield, Maltby Factory (see: http://www.enfieldcollector.com/serials.html)
Model: No4 MkI
Serial Number: A1038
Year of Manufacture: 1939-1943
Caliber: .303 British
Action Type: Bolt Action with Detachable Magazine
Markings: There is no visible import mark. The left side of the stock collar is marked “G crown R / ENFIELD / ENGLAND / No 4 Mk1 / A 1038 / F.T.R. (Firearm, Through Repair) / T R (the final inspection proof prior to being upgraded by Holland & Holland)”. The England is stamped over 1933. The front left of the receiver is marked with a “crown / BNP” proof. The top rear of the receiver is marked with an “H”, “crowned” stampings as well as several over stamped marks. The rear barrel band is marked “N arrow 79”; the front band is marked “arrow N 79”. The top of the front sight is marked “F V / 045”. The underside of the bottom nose cap is marked with faint lettering that ends in “NS”. The rear of the bolt handle is marked with the serial number and a partial stamping. The underside of the bolt knob is marked with a “crown / BNP” proof. The bolt body has tool marks on it. The cocking piece is marked with two unknown stampings. The safety is marked with an “arrow”. The bottom of the grip is marked “S.L / arrow / inverted V / crown”, “K” and with faded stampings. The top of the grip is marked with what appears to be “1-5-6-8 / 17211”.The left edge of the stock is marked “0” next to the receiver. The underside of the forearm is marked “A 1038” and “crown / 33”. The screw for the center swivel is marked with an “arrow”. The magazine follower is marked “M/56”; the base is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: Approximately 25 ¼”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set between two protective ears. The rear sight is a flip up sight ladder marked from “2 – 13”. There is no rear sight when the ladder is down due to the scope. The left side of the receiver has two threaded holes for accepting the scope base that is attached to the scope. The scope is a fixed 3 power with a post reticle. The glass appears clear and it appears to function correctly. The tube and knobs show scratches and wear. The front of the tube is worn and discolored. The scope is attached to a one piece mount with two rings. The mounting screws are integral to the base. The scope is marked “TEL. SIGHTING / No 32 MK III / O.S. 2039 A / AK&S No 17211 / 1944 / arrow”. The top knob is marked “0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10”. The side knob is marked “16 12 8 4 0 4 8 12 16”. The two scope ring tops and matching base bottoms are marked “486” and “487”. The left side of the scope base is marked “AS5991” and with the rifle serial number, “A1038”. The scope, rings and base are in about Very Good condition. The scope comes in a separate green canvas case with a rigid case insert. The case is torn where it folds over and shows discoloration. It is marked on the underside with four lines of stenciling and a large instruction label. The front of the case is stenciled with the matching serial numbers for the scope and rifle. The scope also comes with a one piece leather scope lens cover. It is worn and shows discoloration. The case and lens cover are in about Very Good condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The four piece, hardwood stock has a straight grip, raised check piece, nose caps, two barrel bands, three sling loops, and a brass buttplate with hinged door for storage. The raised cheek piece is secured by two screws. The stock has a 2” long compression mark on the left side of the butt. There are small compression marks on the right of the butt. There are light compression and handling marks on the wood. There are light scratches on the cheek piece. The LOP measures 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Fine to Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: As Military Applied
Finish Originality: Refinished During Sniper Upgrade
Bore Condition: The bore is bright; the rifling is deep and sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 93% of its current metal finish. The nose caps are scratched and worn. Some of the finish is flaking off the scope base where the scope attaches. It is also flaking of on scratched areas of the receiver. Imperfections in the metal were finished over during the refinishing. The brass buttplate is oxidized and lightly scratched. The trigger guard and sling swivels are scratched. The screw heads show light use. The new markings are deep; some of the old markings are faded. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition, as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle.
Box, Paperwork& Accessories: The rifle comes with a 10-round magazine that shows wear and scratches. It is in about Very Good Condition. It also comes with a bayonet and scabbard. The bayonet has an 8” spike, a push button release, and is marked “N67” (made by Singer 1942-1944) on the release as well as with faint markings on the side of the base. It shows light wear and is in about Very Good to Fine condition. The hard plastic sheath is unmarked and shows wear and scratches; it is in about Very Good condition. It comes with a brown leather sling that is marked “SA in a box”, a Finnish Property mark. It is worn scratched and in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This rifle started out as an Enfield No.4 Mk1 made at the Maltby factory. It was selected for its inherent accuracy and then sent off to Holland & Holland to be upgraded to a sniper. This rare rifle comes with a scope, mount, scope case, bayonet and scabbard. This is a nice one to add to your collection. Please see photos as there are more markings on the accessories than listed above. For an article on the process of taking a No4 Mk1 and making it into a sniper, please see: http://www.allaboutenfields.co.nz/links-resouces/articles/from-no4mk-i-t-l42-ai/. Good Luck.

Early Trials Holland & Holland Enfield No4 Mk1 .303 Bolt Action Sniper Rifle 1933
Early Trials Holland & Holland Enfield No4 Mk1 .303 Bolt Action Sniper Rifle 1933