Chrome LE N4 Mk1 - Parade Rifle?

Dakk

Dakk

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A friend of mine owns this interesting rifle; a chromed LE N4 Mk1. I can't find much info online, other than some suggestion it might have been used for parades. Any Lee Enfield experts around that can shed some light? Any info would be appreciated.

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The last one is hard to see in the image, but in persons, it looks like a circle stamps with letter 'R' in it.
 
Somebody's project?

I've seen different rifles and shotguns done up like this. It was probably rusty and the finish was worn off so they did this to make it look better (to them!) and not rust every time they touched it.
 
I have a No4 MkI like that but complete. Do you have any of the other parts like the chrome plated magazine or wood with chromed tips? They weren't Bubbas but altered in service for special ceremonies. Most people don't realize bayonets and guns that were nickel or chrome plated were produced for special occasions. If they were produced in service they are rare, compared to the regular ones.
 
albayo said:
I have a No4 MkI like that but complete. Do you have any of the other parts like the chrome plated magazine or wood with chromed tips? They weren't Bubbas but altered in service for special ceremonies. Most people don't realize bayonets and guns that were nickel or chrome plated were produced for special occasions. If they were produced in service they are rare, compared to the regular ones.
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Can you post a pic of it? I'd like to see that.

I've seen a couple No.5's at P&S that had chrome parts for parade, but not the whole thing.
 
albayo said:
I have a No4 MkI like that but complete. Do you have any of the other parts like the chrome plated magazine or wood with chromed tips? They weren't Bubbas but altered in service for special ceremonies. Most people don't realize bayonets and guns that were nickel or chrome plated were produced for special occasions. If they were produced in service they are rare, compared to the regular ones.
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There's no other parts that I'm aware of. Apparently my friend knows that its been in storage for at least several decades as it is, so it hasn't been chromed anytime recently.

Comparing the rifle parts to his other LE N4Mk1, you can tell that some of the chrome rifle's parts aren't just the regular military parts that have been chromed over. The rear sights for instance are noticably different from the regular military rifle.
 
Grizzly Adams said:
Bubba's Momma wanted a shiny rifle. :D Friend of mine once bought a chromed Nazi man. P 35 Some people have no smarts.

Grizz
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Well there's no question that chrome parade rifle variants exist. So to automatically write a chrome rifle off as a bubba based on ignorance isn't so smart either.

Looking for someone with the smarts to explain why this is, or isn't, a genuine parade rifle. Idiotic 'bubba' comments not needed, thanks.
 
Dakk said:
There's no other parts that I'm aware of. Apparently my friend knows that its been in storage for at least several decades as it is, so it hasn't been chromed anytime recently.

Comparing the rifle parts to his other LE N4Mk1, you can tell that some of the chrome rifle's parts aren't just the regular military parts that have been chromed over. The rear sights for instance are noticably different from the regular military rifle.
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Nope, that rear sight is a MkIII design (stamped steel, war years expediency over the milled MkI and MkII vernier versions). I've never seen a nickle plated one though. To this, I'm not sure Bubba had the $$ to do that to a rifle (chrome/nickle plate). I'm thinking this is a ceremony piece that Bubba chopped up after the fact...where's Smellie? Will someone slide a pizza under the sock closet door? We need some answers:)
 
It's a typical sporterized British Lee Enfield like millions of others. Barrel has been bobbed as many were.

Someone chromed it after it was sporterized, so...it's unlikely it was done in service.

I used to have a chromed SMLE, and have seen chromed Long Branch rifles once or twice, so not as against it as some...they're pretty much a colour guard parade type unit.

But I don't think the military did that one.
 
Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback.


cantom said:
Someone chromed it after it was sporterized, so...it's unlikely it was done in service....

But I don't think the military did that one.
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Thanks. Any particular reason why you believe it was chromed after being sporterized, and not before?
 
Interesting cocking-piece. I think it was a war-time expediency, but I don't think they made too many like that.
 
Dakk said:
Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback.




Thanks. Any particular reason why you believe it was chromed after being sporterized, and not before?
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the barrel is cut down, and the new crown has been chromed and has chipped, so the chrome was added after the cut
 
It's pretty, but the value isn't pretty any more! I feel like putting on my disco boots and gold chains and necklaces when I see that!

It's in the Pimpshine Category now for work done by Bubba.
 
Here are some pictures of my No4 MkI.
Both guns are British but the outside of the barrel isn't chromed. My rifle has the muzzle polished, if the chrome No4 bayonet is attached it would not be visible. I store my guns with the bolts out so they won't mark up the gun standing next to them, plus they take up less room.
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Albayo, we had one like that in the 3rd Bn PPCLI that was on a trophy board for years. I forget what marksmanship or skill at arms it was the trophy for. By the way, we also had a chromed FN C1. I doubt any unit used yours for parade. The bayonets, sure. Colour party had chrome bayonets. The OP's sporter is just that. A chromed sporter.
 
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