GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT BRITISH R.S.A.F. ENFIELD .303 SMLE NO. 4 MK I EARLY TOOL ROOM PROTOTYPE RIFLE.BRITISHSMLE NO. 4 MK IEX83303MODERN; C&RCal. .303. British 25.2" bbl dated "30". This rifle is described in Skennerton's reference The Lee Enfield, pgs 212-214. Bolt is numbered "EX102". Rear sight marked for "WWII Poole Arsenal". This is the pre-production of trials No. 4 rifle. It exhibits thinner flat sided left action wall which is higher and rounded at the top with a recessed area for the thumb when charger loading. Receiver in-the-white. Rounded cocking piece with transverse screw. Hinged front bbl band. Front sight protector ears squeezed together for a narrower profile. Grooved upper hand guard. Formerly in the Kenyan Royal Military Academy Museum. The museum catalog number "P28" is at the toe of the butt. British nitro proofs at right side of receiver and top of bbl. Butt disc devoid of markings. PROVENANCE: From the Estate of World Renowned British Rifle Collector Robert W. Faris. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish near excellent with lustrous blue on metal parts with the exception of the receiver which is in-the-white with a scattered straw-like appearance due to old preservative oil. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright. Wood is extremely fine and near excellent with numerous small dings and handling marks. Grooved hand guard and buttstock noticeably darker than remainder of stock. An important part of the Enfield rifle's development. 51608-14 JWK (5,000-10,000)