Lee Enfield. Restore or not restore.

sirren

sirren

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Hi.

I have wanted a Lee Enfield to go with my Mosin Nagant 91/30 for some time. I went to an auction and decided to bid on a No1 MKIII* sported with a beat up stock with plans to rebuild it to military condition. When it was up my son and his friend decided to go to the truck and asked for the keys which distracted me and I missed the gun. I went on tilt and panic bought another No1 MKIII* without really knowing what I was biding on. When I picked it up it was a really nice sporter with great looking wood and an excellent bore. Doing some backround I found out it was a SSA gun with numbers matching on the reciever, barrel, bolt, and rear sight. Since it is kind of a rare gun I was wondering what everybody thought I should do? Should I keep it the way it is and buy another Lee Enfield. Should I restore it? Should I get a non matching number one and switch the wood? Also does anyone know if the wood should have the serial number of the gun on it? I have heard that it does and that it sometimes does. Anyone know for sure?

Thanks.

Nick
 
Hi Nick,

Well if the barrel is intact (not shortened) and the receiver not drilled for a scope mount, of course maybe I'm biased but: sure, go for it! :)

It's a great project and shooting the rifle fully "dressed" is a different experience than when sporterized.

If you find used parts, the forend wood could have another serial number. If new wood is found (which exists but isn't cheap...), it could be bare, without numbers.

Hope this helps,

Lou
 
I wouldn't. Take some time and find an original. Then you'll have something collectable, a real piece of history. A restored to original sporter in the end is still a sporter with no historical value.
 
junkman said:
I wouldn't. Take some time and find an original. Then you'll have something collectable, a real piece of history. A restored to original sporter in the end is still a sporter with no historical value.
Click to expand...

Not true. My No.4 Mk.1* came to me as a sporter. An all matching, C Broad Arrow marked sporter. I just had to put new wood on it. Now tell me how that rifle has no historical value just because the wood doesn't match?
 
If the barrel and action is not drilled or cut up. I say restore it. The significace to you is the most important.
 
Go for it if the barrel and receiver is untouched. Only time you should leave a sporter as is is if it has some sentimental value (grandpa's favorite deer rifle for example). But since you got it at an auctions its open for restoration.
 
Sorry been a little nuts here. Doesn't look like the barrel has been cut back since it has an enfield front sight on it and measures close to the length it should be based on my inexact attemp at it. Hasn't been drilled or tapped. Here are some pics. (hope it works)

enfield.jpg


enfield2.jpg


enfield3.jpg


While we are at it here are some pics of my Finnish captured 1942 Mosin-Nagant 91/30. Finnish stock, cleaning rod ???, SA stamp. Russian front sight, Russian serial #, Izhevsk hammer and sickle crest on barrel shank, round reciever. Not bad for $40. Man I miss those days. :)

mosin-nagant.jpg


mosin-nagant2.jpg


mosin-nagant3.jpg


mosin-nagant4.jpg
 
She is still a virgin, Bubba only undressed her, but went no further. Put a new stock on it and enjoy.

Are you any good at woodwork? If so I suggest you build a stock set instead of buying a beat up one. Puts a little more personal touch into the rifle.
 
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