Savage No.4 Mk.I* Restoration

[Sht_LE]

Alan, I’m m4a3shermans’s brother. This wasn’t my first rodeo. I have worked as a machinist and gun smith. I have all of Peter Laidler‘s articles printed out and bound, have for years. Also have a copy of Canadian Ordnance Corps, Extracts from Instructions for Armourers I got from Brian Dick at BDL Ltd, many years ago. I didn’t just grab the first bolt that fell to hand. I had a half dozen bolt bodys and eight bolt heads to choose from for the best fit. Both lugs were checked for proper engagement before I put the first bolt head on. Bolt head fully tightened clocks past at about 8°. Bolt closes on a British Military Spec Go Gauge, does not close on a British Military Spec No Go Gauge. I have collected Enfield Rifles, parts, Armours tools, gauges, related accoutrement and worked with Enfields for about 32 years now. In an endeavor to learn as much as I could, about twenty years ago, I built a SMLE Mk.III* using a stripped action body and mostly NOS components. Getting the NOS forestock properly fitted sure was a learning experience! I do appreciate your concern as this is different than bolting an AR15 together, and people do need to be aware that this takes more work, care and attention to detail to be properly set up and safe.

[Alan de Enfield]

That's wonderful that he had you to assist, but unless we are told that in advance (and the 'brothers' experience), when someone implies they are not used to working on Enfield's it is surely beholden on us to ensure they work and shoot safely and give them advice to assist them in their re-fit.

This does not suggest any experience ..................


Many years ago, perhaps at my first or second Tulsa, my brother and I picked up a pile of Enfield barreled actions; among them a few Indian SMLE variants and a No.4 Mk.I* by Savage. All of them are/were a little threadbare, finish-wise, but otherwise sound. And in a box they sat for many years until this summer, when I got the urge to do a build. So long story short, I am working restoring this No.4. Full disclosure No.4's aren't my favorite Enfield types,

[m4a3sherman]

That's wonderful that he had you to assist, but unless we are told that in advance (and the 'brothers' experience), when someone implies they are not used to working on Enfield's it is surely beholden on us to ensure they work and shoot safely and give them advice to assist them in their re-fit.

This does not suggest any experience ..................


Many years ago, perhaps at my first or second Tulsa, my brother and I picked up a pile of Enfield barreled actions; among them a few Indian SMLE variants and a No.4 Mk.I* by Savage. All of them are/were a little threadbare, finish-wise, but otherwise sound. And in a box they sat for many years until this summer, when I got the urge to do a build. So long story short, I am working restoring this No.4. Full disclosure No.4's aren't my favorite Enfield types,

Alan,

Very valid point there- for further context; on top of Sht_le's experience, I have also worked as a gunsmith for around 7 years consistently, and have kept up those skills privately since. I have absolutely seen the results of uneducated or otherwise sloppy work and its not pretty (An exploded receiver might look cool as long as no one was hurt, but it's nothing to strive for and can be costly on so many levels). I take the safety of myself and my arms very seriously; you never know who will end up with these once I am long dead.

And while I am not a big fan of most No.4's, I HAVE built a few No.1's (along side Sht_le's guidance). So between the two of us, I fancy we have enough experience, references, and grey matter to built a safe rifle, if nothing else. Now if only I can locate the last handful of Savage parts...

[Thunderstreak]

I have an unmolested Savage No4 MkI* with all original components.
I’d be happy to provide any detail pictures you need to help with the restoration.

[browningautorifle]

Savage No4 MkI* with all original components.

Nice sling, first I think I've seen marked to Savage.

[m4a3sherman]

ah ha! A Savage sling, and Canadian marked at that!. Thank you for posting that, of course now unfortunately I get to search for one of those slings for the next few years Looks like brass tabs on that one too, so that does rule out looking through the steel tab slings.

I’d be happy to provide any detail pictures you need to help with the restoration.

Could I ask you to show a close up of the top of the bolt handle? I believe there would be a flaming bomb or something on the top of the bolt handle, but can't find a good photo of it. What year is yours?

Thanks all!!

[Thunderstreak]

I have 2 Savage No4’s. The one pictured above is from May 1943 and the other is November 1942.
In my limited experience the flaming bomb is usually stamped on the wrist and sometimes on the bolt handle. Mine are all poorly/lightly stamped but are there!

1942 w/ bomb just under the 94 of 1942.


1942 bolt handle w/ bomb.


1943 w/ bomb lightly stamped in the center of the wrist.


1943 bolt handle no bomb.


Hope that helps.

[m4a3sherman]

Thanks to some good fortune I have located pretty much all the remaining parts for this build, so thats pretty great.

Among the parts arrived/on the way, these New-old-stock handguards that somehow survived the ride over from the UK despite really flimsy packaging. They definitely have the look and feel of having never been on a rifle, and according to some of what I have read, Savage sent a ton of spares all over, so this makes sense to me. Nice crisp stamps, but the little cross in circle is new to me. Any ideas there?

Thanks all!