Made at Rifle Factory Ishapore in 1945, this G.R.I.-marked No.1 Mk.III is chambered in .303 British with a 25-inch round barrel and serial 30169J, matching throughout except for an unmarked magazine. The fore-end still carries the wire wrapping applied to brace the stock against the stress and recoil of launching rifle grenades. The bore is good, with light frosting in the grooves and strong rifling. The stock is in good condition with normal service wear, and the action is smooth and correct.

Pennsylvania classes a .303 bolt rifle as a manually operated centerfire rifle, legal for deer and bear statewide, so this one could hunt the November 28 to December 13 firearms season. The grenade-launching wire wrap is the reason to buy it, though, and it points to a military collection rather than a tree stand; late-war Indian production with the reinforcement intact is what a collector of British and Indian service rifles wants. Shoot it at the range and keep the wrap in place.

Key features

• .303 British bolt action, 25-inch round barrel
• Rifle Factory Ishapore, 1945, G.R.I. marked
• Wire-wrapped fore-end for grenade launching
• Matching numbers, unmarked magazine
• Good bore, strong rifling

The rifle ships to the Pennsylvania FFL dealer you choose, where Form 4473 and the PICS check are handled at pickup.