Spend the money up front and buy Ian Skennerton’s books “The Broad Arrow” and “The Lee Enfield, a century of Lee Metford and Lee Enfield rifles and carbines”. In addition to those there is a huge amount of experience and knowledge on this site as you can see as you have already got good responses to your questions.
Be careful on sites like Gun Broker. Do your research before you hit “buy it now”.
Watch out though, when one shows up, usually others follow!
Any experience with purchasing books directly from Skennerton's website for USA addresses? I have "The Lee-Enfield..." but not "The Broad Arrow."Quote:
Originally Posted by CoatiMundi
Thanks for the diagnosis. Been wondering why that was happeningQuote:
Originally Posted by Singer B
I think this is the best advise, and would add paying particular attention to the area just beyond the chamber. I have seen several No. 4's with what look like pristine bores, running the bore cam in from the muzzle end, only to have the throat look like a bomb went off in there with shards of metal "peeling" away - or so it looks that way. I have come to learn a bomb did go off, hundreds or thousands of times, in the form of old surplus ammo loaded with cordite.Quote:
Originally Posted by RobD
I bought my books from different sources. Availability dictated where I got them. The Hard cover version of the The Broad Arrow was still available from Mr. Skinnerton’s US partner as of a couple weeks ago.
If they are out, you might have to get it internationally.
Any particular bore scope you may recommend for that purpose? Those seem the doodad to have for inspecting everything about a barreled action, and they seem to be a heck of a lot more effective than the old test with a dummy cartridge at the muzzle.Quote:
Originally Posted by ssgross
I'll reach out to Mr. Skennerton to see what's available, but I will gladly pay for international postage if it means saving myself from buying a absurdly priced Volume I of "The Broad Arrow...." I figure knowledge is well worth the money, especially if it'll save time and cash on actual rifles.Quote:
Originally Posted by CoatiMundi
I used to have the Lyman borecam. I was never happy with it. Pictures were always dark, and low resolution - but it was the only thing affordable for a long time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pedantic_Potato
Then a company called Teslong came along
https://www.amazon.com/teslong
I have the rigid one. 1000 times the quality of the Lyman, Although, it needs a smart phone or a laptop to work. When the gunshows start again, I may have to buy the flexible one to take with me. If it could be improved, I would suggest they add an adjustable brightness dial on it. The Lyman has a dial, but even at max setting the light is crap.
EDIT: looks like they have more expensive models now with their own screen if you don't have a phone or laptop - at $129 instead of $80.
When buying any collector's item; be it a classic rifle, a classic car or whatever. It's better to pay a bit more for proper quality! If you are new to what you are searching for; go to a reputable dealer.
The quality will remain long after the price is forgotten.
You want matching number's, good head space and good bore. Original patina if possible.
Inflation, scarcity, and just about every election drive up the price - value will catch up, although that doesn't help the gut punch when you first find out you paid a couple hundred too much. Know the range of quality vs/cost first. This forum has been great for asking about that!Quote:
Originally Posted by 30Three
Quote:
Originally Posted by ssgross
You never pay to much*, but you can buy too early
* Except buying a mismatched shot-out tomato stake from RTI