Very Late Production No. 4 Sniper Rifle Returned Incomplete by Holland & Holland

Serial #Q36335, .303 British, 25" barrel with a fine, bright bore that has some traces of mild freckling within the grooves near the muzzle.  This is a 1944-dated rifle that has 97-98% of the original blue finish remaining with scope pads, and post-war London commercial proofs.  There is some fading of the blue at the muzzle, the high edges, and on the bearing surfaces of the matching numbered bolt.  The rifle has the correct "TR" selection stamp on the stock socket, but does not have the "T" final examiner’s mark on the left side of the receiver.   The wood has some minor handling marks and blemishes scattered about, with a darker cheek-piece fitted to the comb.  Additionally, the buttstock is numbered on the interior of the wrist inletting ("36335").  A correct No. 4 magazine, worn to the underlying gray metal along the edges, is included.  This is one of 2,627 partially completed rifles returned by Holland & Holland to Royal Ordnance Stores after the termination of their contract on March 21, 1946.  According to Laidler and Skennerton in their book "An Armourer’s Perspective: .303 No. 4 (T) Sniper Rifle and the Holland & Holland Connection" (1993), these rifles were fitted with scope pads, cheek-rests, and would’ve had all of the standard markings except for the "T" examiner’s mark.  This is a terrific example of a rarely seen No. 4 (T) variant, and would make a great addition to any collection.   FFL or C&R