October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
Built utilizing a Pattern 14 Enfield produced by Winchester with 1917 inspections on breech. During this period the British were hurriedly attempting to develop and adopt an advanced snipe rifle to compete with the German snipers during the Great War, eventually adopting the No 3 "T" in 1918. This rifle is a prototype sniper using a quick release pillar type scope base with external windage and elevation adjustments. The unknown maker scope is a central focus design, not unlike a later Fecker produced scope. The tube is constructed of a central steel tube with brass objective bell and brass eye piece. The rear of the receiver has been professionally modified to operate with the windage adjustment and the receiver ring had been drilled and tapped to accept the pillar/post front base. All observed parts of the rifle are Winchester production with the exception of the Eddystone marked stock. The bolt body has been polished bright for smooth operation and the barrel has been shortened to 24 - 1/4". The unique scope base and platform are tool room production and are void of markings. This system obviously lost out to the pattern 1918 telescope system with claw mounts used on the No.3 "T". British developmental firearms are extremely rare and not frequently encountered. Additional research should reveal the maker of the telescope itself. CONDITION: Very good with most blue finish remaining. Bore is excellent and action operates properly. Scope is very cloudy and cross-wire is broken. Wood stocks are very good with inspections and proofs very legible. TDW
Model
P14 Sniper Prototype