Refurb/keep as is/decommision 1944 .303 Enfield

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fljp2002

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I'd leave as is, the barrel has been cut so that makes a proper refurb too expensive as you would have to rebarrel. Woukd be a shame to decomission it, someone will want it for the right price.
 
Those Parker Hale sporter conversions of that grade were built on unissued rifles or rifles unissued after FTR . I haven't seen any that were put together from parts. Your rifle went back to be FTRed and likely rebarreled to Mk1/2 configuration, which means the trigger is hung from the receiver, rather than the trigger guard.

The people that refurbed it were usually well trained professionals and the people that stripped it down, refinished it as a handsome sporter were also professionals trained in making the No4 rifles accurate.

In almost every incident where I have shot these converted sporters they were very accurate. Some were capable of MOA with factory ammunition. Most shoot between 1-2 moa with any commercial hunting ammo.

The PH conversions were premium priced sporters in their day. Right on up there with Remington, Savage and Winchester commercial offerings.

They are often factory drilled and threaded for scope mounts as well.

Scope it up, hunt with it. It has appx the same applications that a 308 Winchester would have and has taken every type of big game animal and even a fair share of whales in North America as well as most of the rest of the world.

With a little TLC that rifle could be made beautiful again.
 
To answer your question, around 100 dollars and your time
Enjoy refurbishing rifle, it is part the hobby, but don't turn it into a wall hanger
OR
I will give you a 100 for it.
 
Gaurdian said:
To answer your question, around 100 dollars and your time
Enjoy refurbishing rifle, it is part the hobby, but don't turn it into a wall hanger
OR
I will give you a 100 for it.
Click to expand...

I'll bet you would give him $100 for it. So would I. There's $250 in parts on it.
 
Cleaned up, it is a very decent sporting rifle. Bit of fine steel wool and oil, that rust will come off.

I think someone has applied a coat of varnish over top of the original finish. Easy enough to chemically strip it, steam any dents, sand lightly as needed, and refinish with Truoil, etc. Use stripper and a brush to clean out the checkering.
The stocks were made by Sile in Italy, European walnut.
 
That is what happens when guns are stored in gun socks or gun cases. Store your rifle in a closet with a trigger lock or in a metal gun cabinet and it likely will not rust. Even better, oil it occasionally in addition to more sensible storage.
 
I would bury it in the ground let it rust up for several years to make it look like it has spent decades in the bush lost to time, it would make a nice conversation piece, now it is just, ho hum, meh
 
Probably not feasible from a financial point of view to restore, but it is an enjoyable process. I'll give you a quick cost breakdown on mine

Sporter No4 Mk1 -$275 shipped
NOS barrel -$85 (got lucky on that one)
Barrel swap, headspace - $150
NOS wood set, ordered from the UK -$270shipped
Barrel bands, sling swivel, screws - $55 shipped
Boiled linseed oil - $20
Period correct sling - $30

Thankfully my front sight and protector were intact tho. Would have cost more but I did the stock fitting/inletting myself, I'm a woodworker by trade but really if your careful and patient its not too bad, a few good youtube videos help along the way. RifleChair also has some good pointers.

All said and done, close to $900. Could have bought one in gorgeous shape for that money, but wheres the fun in that? :p

Now I need a bayonet for the old girl
 
Just strip it and clean it up and reblue it with a cold blue and let have at it for the new guy at the camp who doesn't have a gun yet, broke his gun, wife won't let him have one....
 
tiriaq said:
Cleaned up, it is a very decent sporting rifle. Bit of fine steel wool and oil, that rust will come off.

I think someone has applied a coat of varnish over top of the original finish. Easy enough to chemically strip it, steam any dents, sand lightly as needed, and refinish with Truoil, etc. Use stripper and a brush to clean out the checkering.
The stocks were made by Sile in Italy, European walnut.
Click to expand...

There you go. Look a lot better without that glossy finish.

Grizz
 
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