1943 LB No4Mk1*

Bought this one several years ago for $90. Fired maybe 10 rds myself then cleaned and stored it. Pulled it out the other day to do a PMCS cleaning . I have become an enthusiast and want to collect more, this one has some pretty bad damage to the woodwork and the front sight guard is bent so I was thinking of replacing the stock and woodwork to make into a hunting rifle. My dilema is #1 I really love it the way it is and #2 upon more inspection and cleaning noticed the notches cut into the stock. If they are legitimate or not , I would just hate to further damage a piece of history. Any advice is welcome.

Why does it have to be changed to use it as a hunting rifle? I never understood that. My no.4 is quick handling and points naturally as is. What more could you want in a dear rifle.

Do proper "R and R" on your rifle, but Don't, PLEASE, make it a "hunting rifle" except in it's "as issued" configuration. You will come out ahead on both the monetary and historical interest fronts.

Thanks for the advice. The only thing I had really considered doing was getting a synthetic stock and store the wood to avoid further damage and there is alot of cosmoline soaked in from whomever had it before. I have decided to leave it as is for my fun on the range rifle. On another note , it looks like someone put the wrong screw thru the fore-grip , will try to post a pic later today. Again thanks for the advice.

I don't know the situation in Raleigh NC but in Canada there are honestly thousands of No4 Mk I, Mk I*, Mk II, and early variations from Long Lees' to NoI MkIII* rifles that have been converted to sporters. Many of them are drilled and tapped for scope mounts and many of them already wear the glass. Thousands of them were converted commercially by many different companies and range from bare bones, modification of original stocks to some very nice complete make overs. They don't command a very high price. Anywhere from $25 to $300. The low end rifles may not be spectacular but with a little TLC, they can be made to shoot well. The higher end rifles are often real works of art. IMHO they are undervalued and unappreciated.