Update 1 old girl back to life - Lee Enfield Parker Hale MK 4 1/2 Sporter 1944

[fljp2002]

Well my winter project starts

I will try my hand at getting this old girl back to her glory.

This is a 1944 Lee Enfield Parker Hale modified sporter model Mk 4 1/2

My plan is to strip the wood and try to get her back to natural, then clean up the steel (surface rust) and see how it goes.

I haven't used this old girl since 1988 when it belonged to my dad.


Not sure if I want to keep the micrometer sight or get something smaller but I dont want to scope it.

Will post updates as I go along

IMG_8496 by fljp, on Flickr

Close up of the butt stock:
IMG_8497 by fljp, on Flickr

The parts:
IMG_8502 by fljp, on Flickr

Some of the rust:
IMG_8499 by fljp, on Flickr

The wood is in very good shape except for the colour:
IMG_8503 by fljp, on Flickr

The action:
IMG_8504 by fljp, on Flickr

The bolt:
IMG_8505 by fljp, on Flickr

The bolt face:
IMG_8506 by fljp, on Flickr

 

[Northern Amateur]

Looking forward to seeing your progress. Nice thing about these LE's is they are easy to tear down and take to bluing really well (if you plan on going down that road).
I agree, the stock colour can be improved upon. Great for the original purpose of the firearm I suppose but ugly as hell IMO. I tend to strip them down to bare wood and see what the wood is really like. Sometimes you get a pleasant surprise!

cheers,

 

[collector67]

Nice rifle. I’m not a fan of sporters, but Parker Hale versions are tastefully and professionally done. Keep the pics coming of your progress!

 

[fljp2002]

Update 1:

Spent two hours stripping the wood.

More work needed, not sure what kind of varnish was on it but dang it is thick.

very light color coming out and there is some birds eye on the butt stock

image by fljp, on Flickr