Where to find specific wood.

I've posted about my No. 4 Mk. I* before, but the saga continues.

When I bought the rifle it was restored with mixed wood and looked (and smelled!) rather bad. I swapped out the wood set for one of the new 'beech' sets that Collector's Source has, and that BDL Ltd. used to have. The problem is that I'm still not happy with the look and now my accuracy has gone from great to a shotgun pattern at 100 yards (the wood was not fit [bedded?] properly).

On the weekend I tore the rifle down, lightly sanded the wood, and in my infinite wisdom I tried (for what it's worth my dad also suggested this...) to use bleach on the forestock to lighten it to match the rest of the parts. I know, I know, that didn't work and was a stupid idea. :banghead:

What I really want is a set of wood that looks like the Irish contract rifles, or at least a lot lighter than what I've got. This rifle is a restored, mismatched, bubba that really has no collector value. It's a gun that I don't mind hauling around the bush or taking or the range since the bore is great and it's accurate, or at least it used to be. I treat it well but it's not a safe queen.

Long story short, do I have a hope in hell of ever finding a set of Irish contract style of wood or am I just going to have to make do with what I've got? I don't want to buy an Irish contract rifle, mainly because I only have space for one No. 5 and it's going to get shot regularly and I just can't bring myself to buy an $800 in the wrap rifle as a range gun. The gun also needs a new mag since the old one is a little brown and hangs up if loaded to 10 (could be my 125gn reloads though). For the money, I might be better off just selling this gun (thinking I could get maybe $350 shipped for it) with the two sets of wood and buying a used Irish contract rifle. Awhile back P&S had a No. 4 with the type of wood I was looking for, I think it was a Maltby, but I've never seen Jean carry another one since.

Thoughts?

Wood sets seem to be getting harder to find all the time .... :dunno:

Have you sent Brian Dick a note at BDL to see if he can help?

Also, perhaps run a WTB ad in the Quartermaster Stores?

I'll keep my eye open for you... :thup:

Regards,
Badger

Happydude:
If you are coming to the gunshow in Wpg around the beginning of September, I may have some wood sets on the table.

Whatever wood you buy, should be fitted to the particular rifle. Sometimes used wood will slip right on and be in specs, but often it will not. One has to remember that they are dealing with wood that is nearing 70 years old. If you go to the manual on the no4, directions are there on how to properly bed the wood and the correct procedures to check the lift off tension for the barrel from the end of the wood. Proper bedding makes all the difference in the world on these rifles.

I plan to be at the show, but if by any chance you have some blond Enfield wood fire me a PM and maybe we can work something out in advance.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stencollector

Happydude:
If you are0 coming to the gunshow in Wpg around the beginning of September, I may have some wood sets on the table.

Whatever wood you buy, should be fitted to the particular rifle. Sometimes used wood will slip right on and be in specs, but often it will not. One has to remember that they are dealing with wood that is nearing 70 years old. If you go to the manual on the no4, directions are there on how to properly bed the wood and the correct procedures to check the lift off tension for the barrel from the end of the wood. Proper bedding makes all the difference in the world on these rifles.

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As for accuracy, the forestock requires a little work to get on and it's a tight fit so if I plan to keep the wood I'll have to take some time to do a proper fitting job. Might just throw it all back together and sell it or keep it around as a beater.

Well, re-fit attempt number 2 has met with failure. Restoring milsurps, as it turns out, is not one of my talents. After a few more mistakes it appears I have fubar'ed the new set of wood in that I used a commercial bleach that made it look terrible and screwed up whilst fitting it to the rifle. As a result, the barrel band is lose and moves side to side and up and down even when tightened down. New plan is to throw back on the wood that came with the rifle and get rid of it on the EEs.

Oh well, live and learn.