Did I get a gem for a song?

C

canucklehead

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Guys,

My uncle informed me some time ago that a friend of his wanted to get rid of his old 'war rifle', but needed to give it to someone who had a license (registered). Since I was the only one my uncle knew who had one, the gun was transferred to me! He knew very little of the specs, but he said it was a .303 - so I figure Lee Enfield or some derivative. He said 'it's in perfect shape, and the guy NEVER uses it - one deer every few years'. I'm thinking this is gonna be GOOD.

The registration papers came saying 'lee enfield No4 MKII'. Good start, I thought.

When I received the gun yesterday, I was somewhat disappointed that it was a sporterized Lee Enfield. Question is - what is it's 'value' (I gave the guy a 40 of rum in return -he said he wanted nothing, but most people like booze... :)).

I'm not looking to resell it, but wondering if it's a good place to start a 'limited restore'. Is it better to just leave it and shoot as-is? I don't really care about matching numbers. I'd actually like to return it to it's 'former glory' with full wood forestock. This is my first dance with a real milsurp, so don't really know where to start!

I've determined that it's a BSA/Shirley manufacture, from the serial of V3404. It has a 2-groove barrel, and the rifling is crisp and bore shiney (albeit DIRTY - I don't think it had been cleaned in a while)

Can anyone tell me anything ELSE about it? Is it 'factory sporterized', or just an aftermarket job esitate to use 'bubba', since it's not THAT bad).

The mag has been shortened to 5 rounds - my guess is due to hunting regs.

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THANKS!
 
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The one problem that I see with trying to restore your rifle is that it looks as though the end of the barrel where the bayonet attaches has been cut off. If that tapered piece added to the front sight can be removed, it looks as though it might still be possible to add the original sight protectors. In that case, with all of the extra wood and bands, you'd be able to make something like the original rifle but minus about an inch at the muzzle and no ability to mount a bayonet.

Just over a week ago someone offered me a sporterized Enfield much like yours but without any permanent alterations to the front sight/muzzle area. I cost out all of the replacement parts from Numrich, and assuming that they actually have them in stock, they would have totalled $75 US plus shipping. If the bore on the rifle I was looking at were better, I'd take that route without hestitation and get myself a restored enfield for $200 total expenditure. As it stands however, I'll probably buy it first and test it for accuracy before purchasing any more parts.

In any case enjoy your rifle. Every Canadian sportsman should have at least one .303 in their collection.

Frank
 
I have a century arms sporter that has the same front sight cover and black paint on the forend tip,to adjust windage or change the blade you have to remove the fake ramp :( mine has a serial starting with ca. i think they chopped about 1" off the barrel:mad:, still a nice sporter is worth $150 +
 
It's not worth anything as a collectible, and not much as a sporter. You did good swapping a 40oz for it. I don't see the logic behind the sportering process on this one though. An inch off the barrel and hacked wood isn't really going to make it any handier. It isn't even d&t for a scope mount, which would actually make sense for a sporter.
 
Thanks guys - just out of curiousity - what's the 'proper' length of the barrel on a No4?

It's currently 23 3/4" long, measured with a cleaning rod against the bolt face.
 
Enfield

About 25 1/4" . (Should know as have a dozen). Picked up an identical Long Branch recently with last 1 1/2" missing of muzzle so not worth restoring although otherwise matching numbers, but well worth a 40 pounder.
Geoff
 
"...what's the 'proper' length..." Twenty-five inches. What's the crown look like? Check the headspace and use it as a back up or spare hunting rifle. You may want to put on the adjustable rear sight too.
Restoring it would require another barrel, mag and a complete stock set(Epp's has one of those.) Not worth the expense. Not bad for a 40 pounder though. If the headspace is ok.
 
I know the mag alone goes for about 45-50 bucks. I have one that is Savage made and with a number 1 bolt head, very accurate. I have a 1.5 to 6 Burris on it with a synthetic stock. The end of the barrel looked like that to.
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Winchester-1897 said:
I know the mag alone goes for about 45-50 bucks. I have one that is Savage made and with a number 1 bolt head, very accurate. I have a 1.5 to 6 Burris on it with a synthetic stock. The end of the barrel looked like that to.
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Is your picture reversed or do you actually have a left-handed lee enfield?
 
The first rifle is a mid-war BSA Shirley-made No.4 with the flip battle sight. Nothing special from what I see, except for that front sight ramp and the short magazine. If it is good for a deer every three or four years, then you have a decent .303 hunting rifle for the price of a 40-pounder.
 
Thanks for the help guys! Looks like I'll just keep it 'as-is' and use it as a loaner deer rifle.

Sigh... and I was getting my first taste of a Enfielditis... I think I need to spend the cash on a non-bubba now! :)
 
I know the mag alone goes for about 45-50 bucks. I have one that is Savage made and with a number 1 bolt head, very accurate. I have a 1.5 to 6 Burris on it with a synthetic stock. The end of the barrel looked like that to.[
Click to expand...

Well I have almost the exact same rifle. Same stock, but mine has the no-gunsmith mount and a Bushnell 6-12X scope. Excellent deer rifle.
 
Why is it that everyones uncle has a 303 hidden away lol. My uncle gave me the same rifle as you have, except your wood is nicer and my front sight is hooded. It was the first rifle I used as a kid 20 some yrs ago, and when the next young gun in my hunting group becomes of age to carry a rifle for the first time I will give him the old 303 to start with for the simple reason its rock solid and shoots well and no one has to worry if he has a "Ooops" with it.

Cheers!
 
I would leave it as is. You have a nice deer rifle for a minimal investment. Put the money into an unsporterized one if you want a milsurp. If the barrel had not been cut, than a restoration would have been viable.
 
The government thought that the correct length was 25.4 inches, boltface to muzzle. No matter, this one is missing a bit.

You COULD make up an extension and then remilitarize the critter, of you could just use her for a deer rifle. iven decent care, the barrel in one of these things should last something like 12,000 rounds, which is at least double the life of the barrel of most commercial rifles.

Whaever, be sure to have fun.
 
canucklehead said:
Thanks for the help guys! Looks like I'll just keep it 'as-is' and use it as a loaner deer rifle.

Sigh... and I was getting my first taste of a Enfielditis... I think I need to spend the cash on a non-bubba now! :)
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:D Oh and now your in trouble :runaway: :D


but you did good on your first one, just keep looking there are some real gems out there that can be gotten cheap, but you got to find them.

Save the one you have there for a sporter and perhaps parts for the next one.
 
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