Just came into this *Pic Heavy*

Passy357

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Hey guys, I don't post much in the milsurp forums and I was wondering if anyone here could help me with something.

I recently came into a Lee Enfield rifle courtesy of my wife's grandfather. He told me he used to hunt with it a long time ago and it's been locked up for the last 28 years. When we were talking over christmas, he said he would give it to me as he has no plans of using it again. I was wondering if anyone could help in telling me where it was built, what some of the markings mean, etc.

Now, it's been bubba'd and it's in pretty rough shape but I was thinking of getting it restored and maybe use it for hunting or just a show piece.

It's a No.4 MK I in .303, that much I could tell. I believe it may be a carbine too due to the length but i'm not sure (barrel is 23 inches). Here are some pics:

Well, I'm having some issues with photobucket at the moment and I'm too tired to try and figure it out or wait it out so I will post the pics when I wake up. Sorry for the tease :redface:

I hope these work

088D2FA0-0897-4EE6-A4D2-AA8594DF093E-21480-0000135410FC03E9_zps9eb29af5.jpg


3796C520-386A-428C-9F6F-B4CF8480DD58-21480-000013541D72A572_zps80a53b3e.jpg


B415E8DF-A4F1-4997-84B1-25946EF9821E-21480-000013543961F090_zps85bb7571.jpg


71A21CED-26E9-4381-9C35-F2BAB5AACCA9-21480-0000135448D44987_zps743331e9.jpg


73DD8637-1862-4B01-A823-6ED88D358397-21480-000013555022D1BA_zpsf209ed62.jpg
 
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I think at 23 inches the barrel has been chopped and would not be worth restoring. Just another sporter.

Ok good to know. In that case, I may get another stock and use it for hunting. I've also been told I need to get the headspace checked before I shoot it. And it'll probably need a new barrel in the near future. Any gunsmith can do this stuff correct? Would that even be worth it? I want to be able to keep it and use it if at all possible
 
Barrel cut back so bayonet lugs are gone, original sight removed and replaced with... something, top hand guards removed and forestock cut back.

Typical Enfield sporter, take it to the range and try it out. No need for a new stock either, it may not be eye candy, but it's functional.
 
Barrel cut back so bayonet lugs are gone, original sight removed and replaced with... something, top hand guards removed and forestock cut back.

Typical Enfield sporter, take it to the range and try it out. No need for a new stock either, it may not be eye candy, but it's functional.

It still has the original sights it just has a ramp added. Basically a cover, still the original front sight.
 
Why is it going to need a new barrel? Is the bore shotout or pitted? Also the barrel has bee sporterized, still a good old shooter.

Yeah, i've pulled some brushes and cleaning mops through the bore but it still seems dirty...i'm not sure if it's something more or if I just have to pull it through more.
 
Bayonet lugs are gone,Barrel has been chopped and most smiths will charge you more to re-barrel it than than you could buy a original for.Clean it up as best you can and take the old fellow out for some target practice.
 
WHY would it need a new barrel, of all things?

A Lee-Enfield barrel will outlast anything else ever made, given that you treat it with anything approaching respect.

Brits did a test in 1908 on a brand-new barrel with ammo loaded with Cordite Mark I.

Test results with chart are in TEXT BOOK OF SMALL ARMS - 1909 (HM Stationery Ofice, London, 1909).

Barrel lasted only 12000 rounds, so they changed-over to Cordite MD-T 5-2 to double barrel life.

Modern powders are better.

It will outlast you and your grandson.

Pretty good considering they hadn't developed hard-chrome lining yet.
 
WHY would it need a new barrel, of all things?

A Lee-Enfield barrel will outlast anything else ever made, given that you treat it with anything approaching respect.

Brits did a test in 1908 on a brand-new barrel with ammo loaded with Cordite Mark I.

Test results with chart are in TEXT BOOK OF SMALL ARMS - 1909 (HM Stationery Ofice, London, 1909).

Barrel lasted only 12000 rounds, so they changed-over to Cordite MD-T 5-2 to double barrel life.

Modern powders are better.

It will outlast you and your grandson.

Pretty good considering they hadn't developed hard-chrome lining yet.

Why is that smellie? Is it simply due to the style of rifling?
 
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