“Britain created World War II’s most effective sniper rifle starting with the war’s best bolt-action battle rifle. Elite marksmen used the No. 4 Mk I (T) sniper with skill and cunning and quickly dominated the battlefield,” editor, author, and photographer Jeff John notes in a synopsis to the latest addition to his unique Art in Arms Press body of work. ”
He’s referring to “The Matchless Enfield .303 No. 4 Mk I (T) Sniper: And Britain’s Elite Force of Scout/Snipers Who Dominated WWII Battlefields,” a revised and expanded reincarnation of a briefer volume first published in 2019 (and reviewed at AmmoLand).
“‘The Matchless Enfield’ tells the story of the No. 4 sniper rifle and how it was developed and used,” John advises, noting, “The No. 4 (T)’s on range performance is evaluated by shooting an original. Included is an evaluation of the specialized gear including the unique 20X telescope, binocular, transit chest and other gear the sniper teams used on their stalks into the enemy’s lines. Fully illustrated with 75 color and 6 period B&W photos. Includes handloading tips, factory ammo performance, a resource guide and bibliography.”
That’s comprehensive but left on its own a bit dry. You have to experience John’s work, where you begin to recognize the warmth and subtle humor he treats his subjects with. We soon understand that not only does he bring decades of professional experience that’s second to none to the table, but to grok that viscerally, we’re being treated to insights from someone who clearly enjoys his work. It’s obvious he delights in sharing what he knows, what he sees, and what he concludes with a special kind of readership, knowledgeable and enthusiastic fellow gun owners who appreciate technical excellence, beauty, craftsmanship, history, perspective, and damn good storytelling.
That’s quickly apparent by taking a brief detour over to John’s Art in Arms Press website, where his other books, photographs, reviews, historical and contemporary arms galleries, and more (including nature, and “cats of course”). I suggest you bookmark and return to it (regularly) at your leisure, and in that I confess to an ulterior motive: I don’t want you to forget to come back here and finish this review.
One other confession is also called for, or at least a disclosure to cover ethical bases: Jeff was my editor for many years, first at Guns and Ammo, then at Handguns, and for about 15 years at Guns. That actually works out in his favor, though: How many of you would give glowing testimonials to a boss who sucked, years after you’d escaped his clutches?
THE MATCHLESS ENFIELD .303 No. 4 MK I (T) SNIPER: AND BRITAIN’S ELITE SCOUT/SNIPERS WHO DOMINATED WWII BATTLEFIELDS
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Such testimonials have appeared in previous AmmoLand reviews, including:
- ‘King of the Enfield Sniper Rifles’ Combines Superb Photos with Detailed History
- Book Explores How War for Independence Revolutionized Firearms Technology
- ‘Weapon of War’ a Subject of Historic Interest and Contemporary Relevance (the first “Matchless Enfield” review).
- ‘FG42’ Profiles Revolutionary, Near-Forgotten Classic in Words and Pictures
I’d also introduced my WarOnGuns blog readers to John’s Colours of the Queen’s Rangers, an exclusive in words and pictures about the “the oldest known military colours in North America” and the unit that “never lost a battle during the American Revolution until the surrender at Yorktown.”
You can learn more about The Matchless Enfield at Art in Arms Press and pick up a copy of it and other beautifully presented and content-rich works by Jeff John at Amazon.
About David Codrea:
David Codrea is the winner of multiple journalist awards for investigating/defending the RKBA and a long-time gun owner rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament. He blogs at “The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance,” is a regularly featured contributor to Firearms News, and posts on Twitter: @dcodrea and Facebook.
