I just got my 1943 LB in the mail today that I bought off the EE and was wondering something. Would it be a crime to simply give it a rub with some Boiled Linseed Oil? I don't want to be a bubba and I know some of the hard core collectors would consider this a act of bubba the milsurp molester.
Would this be a bubba job?
- Thread starter LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1
- Start date
- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
Linseed oil in my opinion would not be an act of "Bubba", but some of the purists on site may not be of the same opinion.
At least you're not thinking of cutting the wood and drilling and tapping and putting a cheap chinese bushnell on it....are you?
- Location
- Pile of Bones, SK
No.
Weren't a lot of the Enfields originally finished with a bunch of coats of linseed?
I know mine (no4) looks like it was finished with some kind of oil, it's pretty dried by now but the way it's wearing I wouldn't be surprised if it's linseed oil. Mine's all original as far as I can tell.
I know mine (no4) looks like it was finished with some kind of oil, it's pretty dried by now but the way it's wearing I wouldn't be surprised if it's linseed oil. Mine's all original as far as I can tell.
- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
Nah, leave the rifle in one piece and just slop on the BLO and wipe it off the next day. Go hunting or shooting the day after that!!!
- Location
- Pile of Bones, SK
It's shiite simple!
I know it's intimidating for the first time but it's not hard at all. Get a decent long flat tip for the buttstock bolt, one with a square shaft so if the bolt is in good you can use a wrench on the driver to help it along, and use the proper size flattips for all the different screws or you'll end up burring the edges. http://www.surplusrifle.com/no4/rifledisassembly2006/index.asp
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- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
JUst a little hint on removing the buttstock. There is usualy a felt washer on top of the buttstock bolt to keep the oil bottle from rattling. Unless you use a bent coat hanger to hook it out, you will NEVER get a screwdriver in the slot to remove the bolt.
I will second that bit about screwdrivers, anything from the hardware store will only bugger the screw slots. You need a set of gunsmith screwdrivers that are hollow ground instead of chisel tipped. Easiest is a set with one handle and interchangeable bits. You can fudge a bit with the buttstock bolt since it has a wide, instead of narrow slot in the screw. I have found that a 3/8ths ratchet with extension bar and a socket with a LARGE screwdriver tip to work well because of the leverage the ratchet handle allows.
As others have stated, boiled linseed oil was what the factory used so that is hardly bubbaing it. If the stock is dirty, you might want to clean it first with the same stuff you would use on frurniture.
I will second that bit about screwdrivers, anything from the hardware store will only bugger the screw slots. You need a set of gunsmith screwdrivers that are hollow ground instead of chisel tipped. Easiest is a set with one handle and interchangeable bits. You can fudge a bit with the buttstock bolt since it has a wide, instead of narrow slot in the screw. I have found that a 3/8ths ratchet with extension bar and a socket with a LARGE screwdriver tip to work well because of the leverage the ratchet handle allows.
As others have stated, boiled linseed oil was what the factory used so that is hardly bubbaing it. If the stock is dirty, you might want to clean it first with the same stuff you would use on frurniture.
Or just protect the wood with a good protective layer of bedliner. (just kidding of course)
Do you think I should go with Rhino or Linex for my original one of sniper rifle???
What colour?
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
Do you think I should go with Rhino or Linex for my original one of sniper rifle???
Make it green thas seems to be the way to go.
One coat of Linseed, two shots of Rum. No more...
opps made a mistake last night.... Forgot to use linseed
