Indian No.4 MK.I/2 (T) Enfield .303 Sniper Bolt Action Rifle C&R 1962 w/Box
SOLD FOR: $2,775
WOA#: WY240215KN026
Make: Rifle Factory Ishapore, India
Model: No.4 MK.I/2 (T) Enfield
Serial Number: A0317T
Year of Manufacture: 1962
Caliber: .303 British
Action Type: Bolt action, detachable 10 round magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “No-4Mk.I/2”. The right side of the receiver is marked “A0317T”. The rear of the bolt handle is marked “0317AT”. The bolt body is marked “PG 1 8”. The right side of the stock collar is marked “F.R. 1962 R.F.I.” The top of the scope is marked “TEL SIGHTING No32 MK I 1941 No1222”. The left side of the scope mount is marked “T0317”. The right side of the rear scope ring is marked “718”. The right side of the front scope ring is marked “719”. The top of the front barrel band is marked “C.E.W”. The top of the nose cap is marked “S76”. The front of the front sight base is marked with a squared “S113”. The top of the wrist is marked “16185”. The underside of the forend is marked “0317”. The left side of the buttstock is marked “1” in white. There are numerous small British and Indian proof/acceptance marks throughout. The box exterior is marked “BA 10317 Equipments No4 T W Rifles Mk I W/NB QTY I” on an insert and “MADE IN ENGLAND”. The interior of the lid is marked with an inventory list and instructions on how to care for the equipment.
Barrel Length: 25”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade post dovetailed into a base set between two protective ears. The rear sight is an aperture sight when flipped down, and an adjustable aperture ladder when flipped up. The left side of the receiver has been affixed with a scope mount, by the Indian military, which can be mounted with the included No. 32 Mk. I rifle scope. The lenses are clear.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two-piece wood stock has a straight grip with finger groove, nose cap, two barrel bands, three sling loops, reinforcement pin, a cheek rest, and a brass buttplate with a hinged door for storage. The buttplate is scratched throughout with pitting. There are light compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. There is a repair at the toe of the buttstock and around the trigger pins. The top of the cheek piece has wear. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition as arsenal refurbished.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 2x 10 round detachable magazines in Good to Very Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Black gun paint
Finish Originality: Original to arsenal refurbishment
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 6 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. The finish on the receiver is worn along the edges. There is wear along the edges of the trigger guard. There is a wear mark on the left side of the stock collar and on the right side from the bolt handle. There is wear to the finish on the nose cap, the sling loops, and the barrel at the muzzle. The bolt and action show operational wear. The screw heads show light moderate use. The markings are legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition as arsenal refurbished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a large green wooden carrying case, a No.32 Mk. I rifle scope, scope case, and two 10 round magazines.
Our Assessment: The Enfield No.4 Mk I replaced the SMLE No.1 Mk III* in British and Canadian service beginning in late 1941. It featured a number of improvements over the previous rifle, including a heavier barrel, but retained the cock-on-close action that lent itself to rapid fire. The design would continue to be refined and simplified throughout the war. After the war, many No.4 Mk I rifles were updated to Mk 2 specifications, which mainly involved the change in attachment of the trigger. This was done for rifles going into British military use by the Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley. These were marked Mk I/2. The No.4 and its variants would serve British and Canadian forces well into the 1950s, before being replaced by the FN FAL. Some of these rifles were acquired by the Indian military in the late 1950s and early 1960s and converted to sniper rifles. This was done by rebarreling the rifles with an accurized barrel, fitting the receiver with a scope mount, and adding a cheek rest to the top of the buttstock. A British surplus scope was then mounted.
This is an example of a No.4 Mk I/2 that was converted to a sniper rifle by Rifle Factory Ishapore in 1962. The scope dates to 1941. The receiver, bolt, and forend have matching serial numbers. The stock has light wear, though there are few repairs that were done, most likely when the rifle was refurbished. The metal retains most of its newer black paint finish, with wear throughout. The bore is gray with light erosion throughout, but it should still make for a good shooter. The rifle comes in a large green wooden case with a No.32 Mk. I scope, scope case, and two 10 round magazines. While it might not be from the Second World War, it is not often that you have the opportunity to grab an actual military sniper rifle. This would fit into any Indian or Enfield collection. Please see our photos.
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