Enfield No.4 Mk.1 "desporterized" :-)

Sniper1

Sniper1

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
50   0   0
Location
QC - the land of fraud, fear & foolishness
Today was "desporterization" day for my first Enfield.
1941 british ROFM, all matching serial (except mag.)

I have to admit the sporter job on the original forestock was very nice...
but i think she looks much better in her new military dress :D
It's a bit unfortunate the colors don't match up totally with the buttstock.

Before:
2005_0525_083837AA.jpg


After:
2005_1012_130951AA.jpg


I would like to thank The Queens Medalist 86,87 for the forestock/handguard set & sling.

I've enjoyed doing this & will certainly have much more pleasure shooting it now and feel what our grandpa's felt over in Europe.
 
Sniper1 said:
Today was "desporterization" day for my first Enfield.
1941 british ROFM, all matching serial (except mag.)

I have to admit the sporter job on the original forestock was very nice...
but i think she looks much better in her new military dress :D
It's a bit unfortunate the colors don't match up totally with the buttstock.


I would like to thank The Queens Medalist 86,87 for the forestock/handguard set & sling.

I've enjoyed doing this & will certainly have much more pleasure shooting it now and feel what our grandpa's felt over in Europe.
Click to expand...

Sniper1,

I may have a butt stock that will match the rest of your wood. If the photo is a very close likeness to the real colour, then I would say I have a damn close match.
PM me if you're interested :)

By the way, nice rifle! sure looks better all dressed up :wink:
 
Good job!!! I am thinking to do same with mine but will have to find the parts to do so. I wouls also need to change the barrel as it has ben shortened to 21.5 inches, and a sport hooded sight as been installed. have any sugestion where to look for parts ???
 
I have a question too. If I buy an accurate sporterized Lee Enfield No 4. Mk 1. and then change the wood back (using "new" old military wood), will that affect accuracy negatively?
 
Unregistered said:
I have a question too. If I buy an accurate sporterized Lee Enfield No 4. Mk 1. and then change the wood back (using "new" old military wood), will that affect accuracy negatively?
Click to expand...

Actually, if you spend some time with the bedding you may find that a lot of sporterized Lee Enfield will shoot better with the proper stock on them. Many of these rifles require a good 2 - 7 lbs of uplift pressure at the stock foretip for them to shoot accurately and typically that part is hacked off to make the stock lighter.

Of course the bedding under the action and knox form has to be good as well so you'd have to either get lucky with the forestock or be pretty good at woodwork.
 
Tudenom said:
Unregistered said:
I have a question too. If I buy an accurate sporterized Lee Enfield No 4. Mk 1. and then change the wood back (using "new" old military wood), will that affect accuracy negatively?
Click to expand...

Actually, if you spend some time with the bedding you may find that a lot of sporterized Lee Enfield will shoot better with the proper stock on them. Many of these rifles require a good 2 - 7 lbs of uplift pressure at the stock foretip for them to shoot accurately and typically that part is hacked off to make the stock lighter.

Of course the bedding under the action and knox form has to be good as well so you'd have to either get lucky with the forestock or be pretty good at woodwork.
Click to expand...

That was also my concern, as in the sporterized form, she's had decent accuracy with cheap Igman 180gr soft points. Was wondering how the forestock/handguards/bands would affect the accuracy. Can't wait to take her back on the shooting range. If groupings spread up (using the same Igman ammo), then I'll probably go see my gunsmith for bedding options (something I can't do at home, unfortunetaly).

BTW, i'll try to get better pictures so to see the colors and wood grain.
 
Here are better pictures:
2005_1028_131433AA.jpg

2005_1028_131246AA.jpg


For those who offered a matching buttstock; yes i'm interested... email me some pictures. The forestock/handguard set is original british walnut, in a deep burgundy/red wine color.

Another question: what's my bolt head number ?
There's a "1" engraved on it and also something that looks like a "3" on the other side... ???

2005_1028_131538AA.jpg

2005_1028_131607AA.jpg
 
That new furniture looks like either Longbranch American Black Walnut, or dark stained English Walnut. Your gun;s original furniture looks like unstained English walnut. Too bad it was sporterized the original stock looked to have nice figure in it!

Any markings on the replacement wood? It could well be Brit, but it has a Longbranch look to it in my opinion.

For what it's worth, replacement walnut Brit made furniture is RARE. The brits massively FTR'd their guns in the 1950's and anything looking too worn was replaced with beech. The Brit walnut No.4 sets floating around today are from scrapped or sportered rifles. I've seen loose spare unissued walnut complete stocks from Longbranch, but never brit ones.
 
I'm very proud of you for restoring your No4.

Considering that you now have wood on board that does not match the ideosyncracies of your receiver (very important for enfields), I recommend you research bedding options.

Many enfields have been thrown away because the owner did not understand that enfields are all about proper wood shim, cork shim or glass bedding.

There is an art to this process. It has taken me a number of years to figure this process out. Its a lost art form.

Good Luck.

PS: Tudenom is right on the money but don't assume this is an easy job. Remember you only have one action screw to work with. B-A-L-A-N-C-E
 
Tudenom said:
Actually, if you spend some time with the bedding you may find that a lot of sporterized Lee Enfield will shoot better with the proper stock on them. Many of these rifles require a good 2 - 7 lbs of uplift pressure at the stock foretip for them to shoot accurately and typically that part is hacked off to make the stock lighter.

Of course the bedding under the action and knox form has to be good as well so you'd have to either get lucky with the forestock or be pretty good at woodwork.
Click to expand...

Is there a way of replicating this on a Sportster without adding the forstock back? Is there some sort of 'add-on brace' available?
 
Good job Sniper 1.

I did the same with my first gun and she is my pride and joy.

You will never regret this !!!

Restoring an old gun is a beautiful thing. :wink:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom