Sporterized Enfields

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FlyingHigh

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and another noob question. what exactly is the diffence between sporterized and a non-sporterized Enfield? and can a sporterized Enfield be "un-sporterized" to make it originial again?
 
Sporterized rifles have been tampered with (okay, modified, but for some the better word might be despoiled ;)) ususally to make a cheap hunting gun. (Even now, military configuration Enfields are often cheaper than a new bolt rifle). Some are factory productions, (Parker Hale?), the L42 Enforcers have cut down wood stocks as well. Bubbas usually refer to less standardized jobs that people do themselves or hire a gunsmith to do. Uncomplimentary references to hacksaws may appear.

Cutting down the wood is common. They can be restored by installing a new set of wood furniture. Some of Louthepou's threads show de-sporterized Enfields.

If the barrel has been cut down or the receiver drilled and tapped for a scope, then a restoration would be harder or less feasible, although some members do have neat 'tanker carbines' made by giving cut down sporters full wood furniture.

I'm not 100% sure, but on the EE, it looks as if such de-sporterized rifles fetch a little bit less than similar rifles with a more consistent pedigree, perhaps because they aren't considered quite as collectible.

And 'Enfields' are also a large family. No. 4 Mk.1s and No. 1 Mk. III SMLEs seem to show up on the EE the most, with the occaisional No. 2 (aka P14) or M1917 (sometimes listed as P17). The M1917 is in .30-06, the No. 2 and M1917 both using Mauser actions and 5 round magazines. They don't seem to show up as often in the EE. Seems to be some mention about their actions making more attractive to amateur gunsmiths with too much time and insufficient appreciation for milsurps?
 
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Actually, the No2 rifles are .22 cal versions of the SMLE.

The No3 is the designation for the pattern 1914 rifle, post nomenclature change in ... 1921(?), or thereabouts (maybe 1926? - It's late, I forget!).

The no1 was for the SMLE, the no4 for the later, square profile receiver and aperture sighted versions.

But otherwise, sporterizing seems to have been discussed fairly well!

:)

Neal
 
Here are a few I've done. As chanman said, a cut barrel makes things a little bit more difficult. Drilled holes are a pain, but do-able; my first attempt went reasonably well, still need some practice though. Still, it's more fun to retrofit a sporterized Enfield that has:
- resonably good metal, and bore;
- matching numbers on, at least, bolt, barrel, receiver;
- no drilled holes, untouched barrel.

Here are a few pics of the main steps:

You start with this:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj180/louthepou/IMG_2150.jpg

You strip the rifles down, and clean the metal.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj180/louthepou/HPIM0909.jpg

You order all the needed parts; you wait. Then when they arrive, you clean them, sometimes repair them, fit them on the rifles, prepare their surface, finish them with linseed oil...
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj180/louthepou/HPIM0914.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj180/louthepou/HPIM0856.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj180/louthepou/HPIM0951.jpg

Finally, you assemble the rifles and go to the range for lots of fun!
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj180/louthepou/HPIM1107.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj180/louthepou/HPIM1128.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj180/louthepou/HPIM1139.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj180/louthepou/HPIM0957.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj180/louthepou/HPIM0989.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj180/louthepou/DSCN0662.jpg
HPIM0817_edited.jpg
 
If done correctly, a sporterized Enfield makes a great hunting rifle. If done poorly it can be a disaster. I question if it is any cheaper than a new Stevens or Mossberg rifle though.

I for one vote not to sporterize full military peices, but if you have one that ihas been already touched why not?

But if you do decide to Sporterize, take your time and plan your moves and get professional help for the tasks that need a pro's touch.
 
nelly said:
Actually, the No2 rifles are .22 cal versions of the SMLE.

The No3 is the designation for the pattern 1914 rifle, post nomenclature change in ... 1921(?), or thereabouts (maybe 1926? - It's late, I forget!).

The no1 was for the SMLE, the no4 for the later, square profile receiver and aperture sighted versions.

But otherwise, sporterizing seems to have been discussed fairly well!

:)

Neal
Click to expand...

My apologies, I never seem to see the Mauser-Enfields talked about with the actual No. and Mark so :redface:

Scum Frog said:
If done correctly, a sporterized Enfield makes a great hunting rifle. If done poorly it can be a disaster. I question if it is any cheaper than a new Stevens or Mossberg rifle though.

I for one vote not to sporterize full military peices, but if you have one that ihas been already touched why not?

But if you do decide to Sporterize, take your time and plan your moves and get professional help for the tasks that need a pro's touch.
Click to expand...

You may be right; I'm not sure of the price of a Stevens or Mossberg. Certain models of Enfield seem to come in under 400, especially the recent No.4 Mk. 2s from India/Pakistan (I'm waiting for someone to show one after replacing the worn furniture with new wood).

Sportered Enfields, of course, are often in the 100-250 range, undercutting almost any new non-rimfire gun in price.
 
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thanks a lot for the info. it helps a ton. the reason i was asking is, i'm going to be picking up a sporterized enfield for a screaming deal, and possibly a second one for another very good price. i'm buying them for a "make work" project while i'm recovering from surgery. i don't know what models they are, but both are .303. i would love to restore them to an original look. i'm one of those guys who loves an original piece of history. :) where would i go about picking up the furniture for them? does it come up often on the EE?
 
I've started collecting some of the more interesting factory sporters when I find them.

It would be a pity that someone actually took a rare factory sporters and then militarized them..... :D know what your buying


I now have in my little factory sporter collection:

a Parker Hale built on a No1 reciever,

a B.S.A. Co. Comercial with a 1927 dated target crowned barrel (flat) with no other markings and missing soooooo many of the original target rifle parts it makes me want to cry.

an EAL :) civi version in excellent and all correct and matching condition :D

and unfortunate Savage No4Mk1* that GlobeCo had their way with, poor girl treated so poorly then handed off to bubba who pillaged the buttstock in such a evil manner. I can't post a picture now it would certainly make me cry.

I'm still watching for a Navy Arms conversion or 2 as well as a 'Churchill' marked sporter, and then there are the BSA 1950's dispersal sporters, much like the Parker Hale sporters really.

and I have another on the way that if its what I think it is I'll have another B.S.A. Co comercial to add to my collection :D and it may be mostly original and correct based on the photo's I've seen (its here on CGN :) ) but it is missing the correct rear site I think, but I wont know till I get it.

So many interesting Enfields out there to add to my military enfields, of which I have way too many project rifles and not nearly enough time to get to all of them. I have recently stopped buying those unfortunate rifles, unless I get them really cheap, or they are special in some way making them irresistable.

And now add the desire to both save enfields from bubba and the desire to have a 'tanker' Enfield but without chopping up good wood, its such a dilema...


but what was the topic here.... Ah yes unsporterizing Enfields.

my advice read lots, buy Skennertons book, or at least Stratons books, post pictures here (lots of picutures) to get advice on what your about to do before you start, because its easy to irreversabley alter a rifle. And never throw any parts away no matter how strange they may look :D
 
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thanks for the info woodchopper. i really have no idea what model thse 2 enfields are, but i'm getting them for dirt cheap. i'll defnitely post up pics and ask you folks advice before altering them at all.

which books are you referring to?
 
I don't have it here, but Ian Skennerton's new book is the 3rd edition, and I beleive he is calling it "The LeeEnfield" the 2nd edition is "The LeeEnfield Story" I have both now. The run around $100, this is really the source for all your Enfield questions, there are some mistakes but its a huge book and no one is correct 100% of the time.

Charles Stratton has published a series of books, and has a bunch of pamphlets in his SAIS (Small Arms Identification Series) all are excellent books and I would recomend that you start there if your thinking of collecting Enfields. Just use google, he has his own webpage.
North Cape Publicationsby Charles R. Stratton. The British Enfield No.1 Rifle (Mk I through lshapore ...... Other books available from North Cape Publications are Listed Below ...
w w w.northcapepubs.com/ - 172k
Click to expand...



You can always get Skennerton's book later when you get really serious about collecting.
 
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thanks for the info woodchopper.

chdavera, interesting is what i say about that. i don't think i'll be going that route. but it does offer a perspective on what can be done with them.
 
lol. so you want the fancy markings? *grabs engraver* i'll see what i can do. :D :D

i'm not sure when i'll get the guns, probably sometime this week though. once i do, i'll post up some pics.
 
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