yep. I follow Peter L's advice in his butt fitting article on more than just enfields. It has been good practice to give a coat of XM??? grease (another thread here points to NLGI No 2 as the correct US substitute) on any wood to metal contact where the sun is not likely to shine for a long time.Quote:
Originally Posted by smle addict
I wasn't going to say it, lest I start up the "unwrap it or keep it wrapped" war again - but this was a wrapped 1955 mk 2. When I got it, the wrapping had worn on the butt and bolt handle. Front and rear sight protruding. The part of the buttplate and wood showing was starting to mold, and the paper at the bottom showed some water marks. In short, exposed parts of the rifle were noticeably degrading when I bought it. I debated, and considered the matter with my kids for many months.
It was time, and I'm not sorry.
To satisfy my concience only, I'm typing up a short letter on my 1945 smith corona (first year of re-production after the halt to make rifles in 1942) to put in the butt with the wrapper tags. It will read "my name is ###. I'm the original owner of this rifle. My kids are ###. They are next. I don't know who my grandkids are yet, but they will have their turn too, and add their names to this list list..."
Shhh. kids don't know I'm doing this. The look on their face when they find it long after I'm gone will be worth more than whatever value I've lost by unwrapping and shooting it.
