First restoration attempt ...

jibjedi

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on short final
Well I just found the basis for my first restoration attempt. Looks like it is quite a mix of parts. Being an amateur in regards to Lee Enfields, I am not sure exactly what parts would have been together from the original rifle.
Hopefully I can revive it somewhat. Although I don't even really know where to begin. I will give it my best shot though!

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One thing that I notice is the protective ears for the front sight have been removed. Not sure how easy that section will be to restore but at least the barrel wasn't cut down.
 
The front sight ears just slide on and are secured with a screw from the left hand side. All you need is:

Middle barrel band
Front barrel band
Fore stock
Rear hand guard
Front hand guard
Front sight protector
Front sight protector screw
Front sling swivel
sling swivel screw

One fore set here: ht tp://cgi.ebay.ca/lee-enfield-No4-wood-set-/180541983699?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item2a09240bd3#ht_500wt_1154

Or

Try gunshows or the EE

Or

Numrich Gunparts
 
Your 1942 is very restorable. Decide if you want just a nice example or a crrect marked piece. It will reflect what you are going to invest.

I'd dismantle the rifle for cleaning and check all the parts for "LB" marks. Make a list of these and replace them first. ie...your safety is "British" marked, batte sight is incorrect and I suspect the mag is as well. Then look for best walnut stock set you can afford...it makes the project and will hold its value. Just look at some of the high priced complete No4's that are selling on EE.

If you need some help with this pls contact me through PM. I've got a few parts that are correct for this rifle.
 
Have to decide what you're going to restore it AS, too.

There are half a dozen rear sights. Your rifle has the El Cheapo model, which is not incorrect, although it is damned inconvenient. Same as safeties: you have the British type, whereas purists will insist that it have the distinctive Long Branch safety. They both work fine and, just to add a cup of confusion to the soup, Long Branch also made the British type! Look for tiny little marks: LB superimposed is Long Branch, F is Fazakerley, M is Maltby, C is Savage.... that will help to sort out strange parts which have attached themselves.

Restoring as a representative combat rifle is not hard at all: just replace the parts and see that they fit. Restoring as an original Long Branch rifle is a little more difficult and a tiny bit nitpicky but the result is a CANADIAN rifle which just happens to be the finest wartime rifle made anywhere: well worth a few nits, I would say.

You have the basis there for a fine restoration. When it comes time for fitting the fore-end so as to get the best shooting, you might scoot over to milsurps dot com and check out their Lee-Enfield Knowledge Library. Everything in there you could ask to see, including downloadable Armourers' manuals.

These are the very BEST of Lee-Enfields and they can be made to REALLY shoot.

For a real treat, load your own shells: 37 grains of IMR-4895, 180 Sierra Pro-Hunter, seat to overall length of a Military round. MV will be a little slow (2250 rather than 2440) and pressures will be low, but the rifle will like it. Master that 2-stage trigger and YOU can make teeny-tiny little groups with THIS rifle.

Have fun!
 
Lee Enfield parts

Trade-Ex Canada (click on the link in the sponsors section) had proper No. 4 Long Branch butt stocks. They also have front and rear top handguards.

Marstar Canada is supposed to get a boatload of Lee Enfield wood (and maybe some other parts) out of Greece this month.

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Thanks for pointing me in the right direction ...great info to get started!

I think I will take my time and try to piece it back together with LB parts. As that would be the most satisfying in the end.

The barrel is confusing to me with all its messy little marks, I am not sure if it is correct at this point. I will have to look a little closer.

Something that I noticed immediately when comparing to the complete Long Branch No4 that I already have, is that it does not have a two stage trigger ...Whats that all about!? Is it some sort of bubba modification, or do not all Lee Enfields have the
2 stage?
 
Trigger

You might want to add a trigger to your list. The Lee Enfield trigger has two "humps" on it, one for the first pull, and the second to release the sear. A common Bubba modification is to file down the first stage hump.

Can you post more pictures of "the funny marks on the barrel?"
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There is another band you'll need (and I forget the name). It fits at the receiver ring and hold the back of the rear handguard. Put it on before mounting the front sight ears. Otherwise it won't fit without a fight.
 
Your trigger guard is made by BSA Shirley, looks like the rifle has been rebarreled at some point. Got to love the history.
 
For a real treat, load your own shells: 37 grains of IMR-4895, 180 Sierra Pro-Hunter, seat to overall length of a Military round. MV will be a little slow (2250 rather than 2440) and pressures will be low, but the rifle will like it. Master that 2-stage trigger and YOU can make teeny-tiny little groups with THIS rifle.

Hmmm... would you say the same for H4895? My last batch I set at 38 grains with a standard OAL, all neck-sized. Can't wait to see what I'm going to get at the range this weekend.
 
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