Would I be a bubba if...?

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
28   0   0
Location
Alberta
Ok, So I am in the process of restoring a 1917 SMLE I got as a freebie from my uncle. Now, the but had a stock disk in it, it was Blank. So I was wondering if it would be bad to stamp something in it? I was thinking my Name, or initials, Part of My service Number would be neat. Is it a good Idea to stamp my Service Number in it? would I get in trouble? I am not a member yet, but I was issued a No. when I applied, It is my personal ID so... Would it be Bad? I could make one, but I have this here and now so I figured I would ask.

Also, I found a P. 07 Bayonet for it, its pretty nicely priced. It has been poorly sharpened by what looks like a angle grinder. I wanted to buy it and basically refinish it by buffing out the marks, re-doing the wood grips, ect, would this be bad? I do not want to be labeled Bubba. Thanks.
 
Unless there is a liberal dose of snake skin, it is not even close to a junior Bubba.
 
If it were my rifle, I'd leave the disk blank. Why? Because it is authentic and original that way.

You might stamp something on the disk and then regret it, like getting a bad tattoo...although the disk is a hell of a lot easier to remove...:)
 
I wouldn't do it as a collector. Also, I can tell you that while there's no rule I'm aware of against it, most people in the CF will laugh at you for it, espescially if you're a reservist (not knocking reservists, I'm one myself). It's like the guys who get regimental tattoos a month after getting posted.
 
I would say don't do it unless the rifle is already buggered beyond restoration. You can buy reproduction stock disks verily cheap which could be another option.

282605599_tp.jpg
 
Actually, I have a repro disk that I've compared to an original and the screw on the repro is noticeably wider and likely would expand the threading in the stock too much to use the original one again. My advice would be to use the repro disk with the original screw. The disk also may not fit as flush on the butt stock without alteration but if you're only putting it on for fun it wouldn't really matter. I suppose you could thin down the repro disk a bit to fit better though, instead of getting out the wood carving tools. :eek:
 
Vimy Ridge said:
Actually, I have a repro disk that I've compared to an original and the screw on the repro is noticeably wider and likely would expand the threading in the stock too much to use the original one again. My advice would be to use the repro disk with the original screw. The disk also may not fit as flush on the butt stock without alteration but if you're only putting it on for fun it wouldn't really matter. I suppose you could thin down the repro disk a bit to fit better though, instead of getting out the wood carving tools. :eek:
Click to expand...

The repro disk idea is a good one. A member on here sells them, his name starts with P and ends with Blatz.:)
 
Conversely, I would also check to see if the opposite side of the stock disk is blank, if you haven't done so already.

On a good percentage of the Lee-Enfields (be they No1s or otherwise), the side that is visible is blank, but the other side actually has the regimental marks. Not sure why this was done and, as usual, there are plenty of rumours floating around but it's worth taking a look.
 
Alrighty then, the disk stays blank. And it is blank on both sides, I checked first chance I got. Its no problem, I have basic lath skills and the disk does not look difficult to make.

I am assuming since the P-07 Bayo has been attacked by a grinder it is open for restoration? I would not do anything extreme. Buff the scratches out of the blade, re finish the wood grips, redo the rest of the finish. I wanted a restored Bayonet for my Restored Rifle. I think I am going to get the Bayo, after work I will get it.
 
You own it,so do what pleases you and forget about other's opinions.

There is/was a similar situation with many of the stocks on the ex-Danish Garands.The Danes had set a circular brass disc into the bottom of the pistol grip which was stamped with unit property marks.These were mostly removed when the rifles were surplussed leaving an unsightly cutout. Some yrs ago I found some brass washers at C Tire which fit the cutout exactly.I also located some brass wood screws with a convex base under the head at Lee Valley(a match to the ones you find on the MKIII LE butt disc). I ground a concave around the screw hole in the disc to set the screw in flush-and voila!! The whole lash-up looks like the repro disc in Vimy Ridge's photo,except the brass washer seems thinner and the screw a bit longer with a narrower shank.Other folks have glued in an appropriate size/denomination Danish coin for the sake of appearances. I've given several of my modified discs to fellow Garand owners who liked the finished appearance.

On the use of service #s, 30+ yrs ago I built a CNo7 from parts on a new 1953 dated receiver and incorporated my pre-1968 regimental # into a "s/n" which I stamped on the butt socket to personalize the rifle. It came in handy when we had to go thru all the registration nausea earlier this decade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom