WW1 British Pattern 1914 No. 3 Mk. 1* (T) Rifle by Winchester (No Scope)

Serial #W239699, .303 British, 26" barrel with a very good, bright bore that has some mild pitting within the grooves.  This is a Winchester-made Pattern 1914 rifle, and was one of approximately 1,500 – 2,000 such rifles converted to sniper configuration in 1918 via the removal of the volley sights (only the forend plate is still present) and installation of a Pattern 1918 scope.  The rifle has retained 80-85% of an arsenal reapplied blue finish that has silvering at the muzzle, as well as plum-brown and gray fading along the high edges and projections.  The rifle has the serial number reapplied on the right side rear sight base, and star stamps on the receiver, matching-numbered bolt handle, and extractor.  The rifle would have originally been equipped with a fine adjustment rear sight, but currently has a standard rear sight installed (with different serial number).  The drilled and tapped holes for the no longer present scope mounts are present on the receiver ring and on the The "W" marked walnut stock and handguard are in very good-fine condition, with clear British markings on the right side of the butt: "(Broad Arrow) (star) / IW (in circle)"; and crisp "8 – 6 – 29" date stamp.  The wood has numerous minor handling marks and small surface blemishes scattered about the reapplied military oil finish.  These excellent rifles were assembled too late to see service during the First World War, but some were used during the Second World War by the Australians, and also by Ireland postwar.  This example is in about very good condition overall.  FFL or C&R