Lee Enfield - how to tell ex sportster

Horilka

Horilka

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I'm relatively new to the LE so the question I have - is there any way to tell that the stock is not original to the rifle as in "restored". Or even maybe there's a way to tell FTRed stock vs original? As far as I understand No1 MkIII and No4 Mk1 did not have serial on the stock, am I correct?
 
I'm going to bump this thread up to the top and join in with my own little question. What is the comparision or differences between No 1 MkIII
and the No4 Mk1, these two seem to be the most common and I am going to limit myself to just one LE, which should I get?:wave:
 
Parts (especially the wood) are much easier to find for the No4 rifle. Much easier to restore the #4 rifle.
Biggest difference between the No1 & the No4 is location of the rear sight. On the No1 it is mounted on the barrel ......... on the No4 it is on the receiver.
 
Horilka said:
I'm relatively new to the LE so the question I have - is there any way to tell that the stock is not original to the rifle as in "restored". Or even maybe there's a way to tell FTRed stock vs original? As far as I understand No1 MkIII and No4 Mk1 did not have serial on the stock, am I correct?
Click to expand...

All depends. I have a Long Branch that has the serial # stamped into the underside front of the fore end.
 
Most No1's are close or even older than 100 years... so the wood is a good indication if it as been restored. If it looks new or fairly new chances are it is.
Bumps and gauges are plentiful on a rifle that went through 2 wars.
Although like anything else with Lee Enfield's there are exceptions...

Also early No1's had the volley sight and the stocks have a bump or ''potbelly'' that newer or reproduction do not have.

Some No1's do have the serrial number on the forend, near the stacking swivel, on the underside.
 
For a SMLE if the serial number on the nose cap matches you can be confident it's not desporterised.
 
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