New guy with Savage Enfield *PICS*

[Smug Monkey]

Hello all,

Over the weekend I purchased a 1942 Savage Lend Lease Enfield No.4 MKI. The bolt handle does match the serial number on the receiver band wich is also stamped 1942. It does have a faint import mark on the receiver - IAC Alexandria VA. There are block S's all over the rifle and the metal finish is in fantastic shape. It does have the US PROPERTY mark and 1300 mtr ladder sights. 2 groove barrel is stunning with deep rifling and shines like a mirror. I bought 2 boxes of PRVI over the weekend and hope to shoot it very soon.

The wood is in "decent" shape. All pieces are also marked with the block S's and has the grooved rear handguard. The front sight is drifted way to the right and I haven't properly boresighted it yet. I stripped the rifle yesterday and found the finish on the barrel to be immaculate, no pitting whatsoever on any of the metal parts. I cleaned all parts with mineral spirits, removing the small amount of cosmo I found and wiped it all down with good ol' Hoppes oil. I sparingly added some Tetra grease to the bolt carrier, lugs, sear, and trigger.

I wish the wood was in better condition and the front sight was centered, but what can you expect from a 70 year old workhorse? Hopefully, I will be forced to center the front sight when I shoot it!

I have toyed with the idea of buying a replacement stock set that is in better condition and keep the original set if I ever have to sell it. Sure don't plan on it.

Glad to be here!

Mark

Information

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[Warren]

90% of those marks can be removed with some judicious steaming...... You cannot make wood but you sure can remove the dents with steam.

[Peter Laidler]

Wise advice there Warren. I wonder how many butts and fore-ends have just been thrown away in the past for want of a bit of steaming or a simple patch!

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Nice example Of the No 4 you found there. I have had Very good success with "steaming" . Simply place a clean damp towel over the area and steam iorn the dents away. If the dents are not too deep or the wood fibers torn you will be surprised at how well it works if you have never tried it. Please post some after photos if you try steaming. Hear is my Savage that found me recently. No steam needed here. Just hope she shoots as good as she looks.

[Smug Monkey]

Will steaming the dents remove the finish from the wood? It looks as if the wood is oiled pretty well with either tung or BLO. Will it lighten the color of the buttstock?

I may just leave it alone as a testament to the rifle's history and character.

Mark