Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

[Balzac72]

Hey guys, I'm in the process of acquiring a couple Enfields from an estate. One turned out to be a legit Enfield sniper rifle with scope in the metal box. The rifle is in excellent condition, rifling is bright and the optics appear pretty damn nice too. The only problem I can tell is that the turrets are stuck, but I didn't put too much effort into unsticking them.

My question to you all is, how accurate are these by modern standards? I've done some google research, but didn't come up with any real accuracy reviews. If you don't know about the "sniper" models, at least tell me about your Enfield 303 rifles and how they perform.

I'm hoping to bring it home by next weekend, so I'll have pics then. I wanted to play it cool until my offers were accepted.

For reference, I included a link to what the rifle/scope looks like.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=200367833

PS. There are 11 total Enfields, if you know anything about them, please tell me what to look for and which models are preferred. I can still make additional offers, I'm the first and only person at the buying table.

 

[Metalhead0483]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

Which version is it? IMHO (and I suspect I'll get flamed for this) the enfield snipers were some of the finest sniper systems of WWII. Don't expect modern sniper rifle accuracy out of them, especially after 65+years of use, but for what they are they're pretty damned good. Many Nazis died to bring you this information...

That being said, collectors will sell their souls for an enfield sniper in good condition these days. There just aren't many of them around for sale anymore.

 

[Balzac72]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

It's a #4, virtually identical to the auction.

I've also heard rumors about the accuracy of the Enfield sniper variants. I'm hoping its capable of 2" groups, but I don't see myself making it a range gun, except to test it out. As far as use, I doubt it's seen even a couple years of use and it and it's brothers all seem to have been kept in ideal conditions, since there's no rust on any of them. With the exception of the Martini Henry Enfield rolling block, all bores are excellent. The rolling block is a smooth bore, whether from use or design. They also all have matching bayonets and 2 50cal cans of corrosive ammo.

Now if only he had the original rifle crate...

 

[mk36]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

Go to sniper central.com, equipment tab, rifle review section and select U.K. You will find a spec sheet detailing the Enfield sniper version along with a short narrative about the rifle's origins and development.

 

[Metalhead0483]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

Getting a pretty solid deal from the estate? I've had a few enfields over the past several years and have liked them all. All but one of them would easily shoot under 2.5" at 100 yards shooting irons with good reloads. Like I said, not bad for 65+ year old battle rifles...

 

[Balzac72]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

The deal includes a 22 trainer, #4 and the sniper for under $1000. I'd call that a solid deal.

 

[Balzac72]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

MK36, thanks for the heads up, I'll check it out.

 

[longebow]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HKTackDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey guys, I'm in the process of acquiring a couple Enfields from an estate. One turned out to be a legit Enfield sniper rifle with scope in the metal box. The rifle is in excellent condition, rifling is bright and the optics appear pretty damn nice too. The only problem I can tell is that the turrets are stuck, but I didn't put too much effort into unsticking them.

My question to you all is, how accurate are these by modern standards? I've done some google research, but didn't come up with any real accuracy reviews. If you don't know about the "sniper" models, at least tell me about your Enfield 303 rifles and how they perform.

I'm hoping to bring it home by next weekend, so I'll have pics then. I wanted to play it cool until my offers were accepted.

For reference, I included a link to what the rifle/scope looks like.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=200367833

PS. There are 11 total Enfields, if you know anything about them, please tell me what to look for and which models are preferred. I can still make additional offers, I'm the first and only person at the buying table. </div></div>

HKTD: Is the rifle you are bidding on the one listed in the link to Gunbroker? If so, DO NOT touch this rifle with a 10 foot pole. It has too many problems to list, just from what I can see from the listing and the photos. If not, and it was "just an example" of what you are looking at, then these are some of the items you should be looking for:
1. Rifle serial number stamped into the left pistol grip band. Most were made by BSA Shirley "M47C" marking.
2. Scope serial number on small of the stock (viewed from the top).
3. Rifle serial number on the scope mount on the left flat surface.
4. Rifle serial number on the bottom of the forestock, just behind the front sling swivel.
5. "S51" (Holland and Holland wartime stamp) on the bottom surface of the buttstock.
6. The scope can should have the rifle serial number painted on it somewhere (but this is not a deal breaker).

If the rifle, mount and scope match, then you are very fortunate to find this. They are becoming increasingly rare and expensive. The remainder of the items can be added when you find them (and can afford them $$!).

THE resource to learn about this great sniper rifle is Peter Laidler's: An Armourer's Perspective: .303 No.4(T) Sniper Rifle
And the Holland & Holland Connection. A link to a review:
http://www.snipercountry.com/BVT_Reviews/303Armourer.asp

The best contact for information, parts, and servicing is Brian Dick of BDL Ltd. He can send the scope to Peter for servicing. "Expensive" by some, but in my mind, a damn fair price for preserving history that I have been honored to be the temporary caretaker for...
http://www.bdlltd.com/

The No4T is an awesome example of wartime expediency, and the careful assembly of rugged parts into what what arguably the best sniper rifle of WW2. As far as accuracy, it WILL perform with the proper handload. I have used the Sierra 174 MK (.311) and N140 in prepped Greek (HXP) brass to good effect. I shot it at 600 yards (prone supported) in a "nostalgic" rifle match and only dropped about 5 points (standard MR target). I had a very high X count too! I was beaten by someone else who took advantage of the club/match rule that "you can delete a shot and refire it for record, if you tell your scorer right after the shot." (this was for those who used surplus ammuntion of questionable quality...) Once my sighters were done, I shot the 20 rounds for record and counted each shot--just like an NRA long-range match.

I hope that this helps.

 

[BobC]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

http://www.milsurps.com/index.php
A good place for information on surplus weapons. The can probably help you

 

[Boris]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

You are one lucky fucker to get your hands on such a hard to find system. Enjoy

 

[Balzac72]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

LongB: To answer your question - no, that is not the actual rifle in that auction. This is something I've inspected and know is legit. Not to mention, even if it's not, the price I'm paying is worth it simply for the scope alone. If it's not a collector piece, I'm sure as shit going to shoot the balls off of it!

I'm also going to go through your checklist and post pics when I go to pick it up. I don't want to show too much interest right now. In fact, I showed more interest in the Jungle Carbine, so he went off and did some research and told me he wants $400 for it. I laughed.

I can't wait to post pics for you guys. This is a piece of history!

 

[Yeticowboy]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

You lucky dog, All I ever find are rusted out Remington 700's.

 

[GorbashUK]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

The No4T is a fine ww2 sniper rifle. The Turrets have a grease inside them that gums up after a period of time, that is why they will not move. The scope needs stripped and the old grease removed and new grease added, a bit of a specialist job, there are a few guys here in the UK that do it.
Accuracy? with a decent SMK handload they will shoot 1.5moa, the biggest problem with group shooting them is that the mk32 scope has a rounded point on the vertical post and it is difficult to get consistant aimpoints for group shooting, the ruskie PU scopes are much easier to use for this purpose.
Here in the UK, a matching No4T with transit case and all the toys is worth £3500 / $6000, big money.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

If you can find one, read "The British Sniper. British & Commonwealth Sniping & Equipments 1915-1983.

It's a pretty good book on British Sniping and equipment. Just glancing at the book it looks like there were 20 versions of the British Enfield Sniping Systems.

When you get the pictures of your rifle, and list some of the markngs maybe we can tell you more about it.

From what I understand they were some of the best period systems.

I'm gonna say w/in reason these rifles are as (in proper hands)effective at weapon systems today. Will it shoot to 2500 yards like the 338 L and such weapons, of course not, can it keep up with modern weapons at the average ranges that siper targets are engage, you betcha.

The CMP have developed a Vintage Sniper Match to be included in CMP GSM Games. I think as these games progress we will see these old war horses still have it in them.

 

[Balzac72]

Re: Lee Enfield Sniper Rifle

If only it were 3006....