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Were 1942 no.4mk.1 lee enfields stocked in beech furniture as original wood?
Rifle in question is a 1942 Maltby with all beech furniture and all marked H M Co. Ltd.
out of Glasgow I believe.
Would this be original for a 1942, or more likely replacement?
thanks
Phil.
I had a look in the book British small arms of ww2 by Ian Skennerton H&M are not listed under the manufactures of components.
Fazakerley used beech in late war rifles, as did BSA in its remaining No1 production. IIRC some Maltbys did have beech fitted.
If the beech has a blackish tinge, then it may be original WW2. If its any shade from yellow through to mahogany red to brown, its usually a post war refurbishment.
Paul87Buick, in Skennerton`s `The British Service Lee` pg. 395 the list of No.4 & No.5
components-contractors- H.M. Co. Ltd.- H. Morris Co. Ltd. (N49), Glasgow. --Furniture.
Thunderbox, the furniture still has a lot of grease on it but is very dark shade, not black
but dark brownish bordering on black. What do you think? Phil.
Real world Armourers shop, worldwide - According to EMER's - 1963 to 1998. Next fore-end off the shelf that was not distorted, matched the remainder of the wood, matched the mk/type of rifle, fitted correctly and passed range and acuracy test
We've seen at least four 1941 Maltby No4s converted to T specs on this forum or the other one, all with Beech MkI forends. (Cutoff relief on side of forend)
If you look at "Wood Goes To War" made 1942 -1943 it shows H.M. & Co making No4 Mk1 furniture from both walnut and beech - I think that answers your question.
Patt14No2: I have already looked at the videos & I am satisfied. The rifle also has some
contractor marks that I haven`t seen before e.g. TEC ( in a circle), Trafalgar Engineering Co. & V.N.S. - Viners Ltd. (N79). Rifle is overall V.G., a nice find I believe.
Thanks One & All.... Phil.
This is only a rule of thumb & no doubt someone will contradict me (!), but in general beech was used for much of the stocking up of early run of production No4's (1941 & 42 mfr), though by 1943 kiln dried American Black Walnut was in common use - at least on BSA made rifles. I have seen plenty of early UK made rifles of all three manufacturers wearing beech clothes, but by now it is usually quite darkened with oxidation & dirt/grime impregnation. I often have to look twice to check it isn't walnut. Of course this does not apply to Trials rifles which were originally all stocked up in walnut, but I have two 1941 BSA & two 1941 Maltby 4T's & all four are stocked in beech.
ATB