Please help identify box

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh
... There is a matching service for No.4T rifles and No.32 Mk III scopes on www.milsurp.com. ...

No one has reported looking for C35929 or 28, nor 23802 on the matching service. Which only rules out one slice of internet connected collectors.

The bracket Rob mentions is a cast iron mount with split mounting rings on one plane and thumb wheel screws on the other, separated about 4" apart. The two threaded holes which are present received the screws to hold the scope on its side inside the metal case.

If the references are to be believed, plants in Canada, US and UK made about 4.1 million No.4 rifles. One information survey had BSA Shirley with serial number prefix C in 1944. The letter C inside the number sequence identifies Canadian Long Branch production. Yes, Canada made No.4(T) rifles, but the numbering and naming conventions were distinctive. The second number is from the middle of the 12,500 odd range of No.32 Mk. IIIs by A. Kershaw & Son.

Between 29,000 and 30,000 sniper rifle kits were made up. Once assembled at Holland and Holland or Long Branch, they were never to be separated. IMHO, you have the empty case for a British sniper rifle, which has been separated from its two companions. Either sold as surplus when the scope was lost, broken or condemned. Or kept by a returning soldier as a nice souvenir.

There are reproduction cans around. I bought one to complete a No.4(T), and paid a healthy price at the time for an ordinary stamped sheet metal box. A genuine piece will command a healthy price even now. A number better than you could devine to put on a price tag.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

The bracket Rob mentions is a cast iron mount with split mounting rings on one plane and thumb wheel screws on the other, separated about 4" apart. The two threaded holes which are present received the screws to hold the scope on its side inside the metal case.

Terry: The bracket I was talking about is the sheet metal bracket inside the little can that the telescope bracket would be fastened to. Often, if a military can or chest is re-purposed, someone will remove the internal brackets and hurt the value of the can.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by rob love

Terry: The bracket I was talking about is the sheet metal bracket inside the little can that the telescope bracket would be fastened to. Often, if a military can or chest is re-purposed, someone will remove the internal brackets and hurt the value of the can.

For once Rob, we're both right. In several British references the terminology for the telescope base is bracket, and in North America it is the mount.

[Barry Churcher]

Rob I have found more of this kind of stuff so I think I had better do as you suggested and start a pile for Switzers.

[rob love]

You are just going to miss the deadline for their next auction. They are releasing the listings in a couple days for the auctions which occur in a week or two. But there will be another auction after that. The returns are too good, with the auction house charging the seller 25%, and the buyer paying another 15%. But the prices on this stuff have gone to stupid levels over the covid.



Lucky you to have saved up some of this stuff. I suspect you will see a nice return on it. Enfield sniper stuff is always hot.