No. 4 Mk. I (T) Sniper Rifle (Click on the pictures for a large-size version.)

During WWII the standard sniper rifle for the British forces was a modified No. 4 Mk. I rifle designated the 'T'. It earned a reputation for being robust, dependable, and accurate. Variations of this platform stayed in British service through the 1970's in updated forms. (No.4 Mk.I (T) Sniper Rifle - This example was built in 1945 on a BSA rifle and fitted at Holland & Holland. After the war it was used by the Singapore Police and de-mobed in 1966.) At the start of WWII there was a severe shortage of sniper rifles in the British forces. During this period the Ministry of Defense was already undertaking the development of an updated Lee rifle, with prototypes being built and testing underway. However, in the early part of the war the No. 1 Mk. III rifle that had served in WWI was still the standard issue. In order to alleviate the shortage of sniper rifles a number of retired No. 1 rifles were taken out of storage and fitted with WWI scopes. This was a stop-gap measure though, as the equipment was already dated and there were no spares to maintain the scopes. The long-term solution was clearly to develop a new sniper platform based on the soon-to-be-standard No. 4 rifle. Tests were done to fit the common civilian Weaver scopes onto the No. 4 rifle but in field tests it was found to be too fragile and the idea was abandoned. The match was soon found in the designs for a scope then being developed for use on the Bren light machinegun. While the scope was not destined to be accepted for use on the Bren it was found to be an excellent match for the No. 4 rifle. Accepted into service in 1940 it was designated the No. 32 pattern scope. The No. 32 scope was quite large and heavy at 2lb 3oz, but this meant it was also tough enough for combat service requirements. The scope was secured to the rifle by a detachable mount that used two large screws. Over the course of the war three types of the No. 32 scope were produced: the Mk I (1942), the Mk II (1943), and the Mk III (1944). All three were generally similar in appearance, with the type marked on the scope body. Since quantities of the No. 32 scope were available before the No. 4 rifle was ready for production several thousand sniper rifle combinations were produced by using the No. 4 rifles that had been part of the trials/testing. This initial matching of scopes and rifles was done at the Enfield factory starting in 1940. (Standard metal case for the No. 32 scope. The scope bolts into the bottom of the case.) (Close-up of standard markings on the top of the No. 32 scope variants.) When the No. 4 rifle was officially adopted into service in 1942 the newly created sniper rifle combination was designated the Rifle, No. 4 Mk. I (T). Each rifle was issued with the No. 32 scope, a wood transit case, cheek rest, an American adjustable leather sling, metal scope case, scope adjustment tool, and a polishing cloth. The No. 4 (T) was first issued in quantity to the Italian theatre, where conditions favored its use. (No. 32 scope and mount. Mount attachs to the left-side of the rifle receiver with two large spring-tensioned bolts. Prominent windage and elevation adjustment dials are located at the front.) In 1942 the Holland & Holland company began the work of converting picked No. 4 rifles to the T variant. All in all, H & H would build 23,187 rifles from 1942 to 1946. Nearly all of the rifles converted were B.S.A. Shirley manufactured. Part of the normal production of the No. 4 rifle was an initial sighting-test before being issued. Rifles that were judged especially accurate were then pulled for use as T rifles, and sent to H & H. The rifle was stipped down and the wood re-stocked with extra buffer pieces used to seat the barrel. When the scope was added the scope number was stamped on the rifle mount and stock to ensure all components matched. In addition, a 'T' stamp was marked on the left-hand side of the receiver. In 1944 a second production center for the T rifle started in Canada at the Long Branch factory. Just over 1100 Long Branch T rifles were issued for Canadian troops. In addition, the MOD ordered 950 of these rifles for British use to supplement the production at Holland & Holland (approx 500 were delivered). Canada experimented with a larger number of civilian scopes made by Weaver and Lyman Alaskan, although they too began producing a version of the No. 32 scope which became the standard for the Long Branch T. A small number of American-made Savage No4 Mk I* rifles were converted to T rifles as well. References: The British Service Lee, Ian Skennerton An Armourer's Perspective: .303 No. 4 (T) Sniper Rifle and the Holland & Holland Connection, Peter Laidler with Ian Skennerton Related Links Weapons of the Paras Equipment of the Paras