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Hey guys. I bought a No4 Mk1 Long branch of Gun broker not to long ago and it has been sporterized. Its a damn shame. I want the full, long fore stock that goes all the way to the muzzle. And I came here to you all for a few things.
1) What is done to the rifle when its been sporterized?
2) Can i undo it all?
And 3) Is it to expensive? Should i just buy a "Non-Sported" Enfield?
We'd need pics to be able to effectively give you an opinion...
Like Jim says, need pics.
Generally speaking, most companies that did the sporterizing got the "pick of the litter," choosing the best condition surplus guns. Many of the rifles had just undergone FTR (Factory Thorough Repair) before being surplused, so they were in tip-top condition before undergoing surgery.
Very little was done to most sporterized versions (some later had monte carlo stocks and scope bracket mounts drilled into the receivers and the charger bridges ground off), because there just wasn't much money to be made in substantial "upgrades."
If you are one of the fortunate ones to have the last two inches of the muzzle still in place, the charger bridge intact, and no extraneous holes in the receiver, the job of restoration will be much easier. If the bayonet lugs have been lopped off, the job is more problematic, because restoration then requires more than just new wood and fittings. If the charger bridge is missing too, it's not worth the effort.
Have posted this before:
I bought this LB No4 about 15 years ago in sporterized condition: forend cut down, bands, bits and top wood missing but otherside in good shape. Paid $95 at that time. I added a NOS stock set, bands and bits from Springfield Sporters and voila! I remember calculating about $200 total in the finished project, including the original price of the rifle. Non-import marked, FTR '48, all matching metal including EP'd magazine.
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Of course, the repair parts are harder to find now and likely more expensive. A little internet search should give you a good estimate of what yours will cost to overhaul.
MasterChief, that is a great restoration. Thanks for giving back the heritage the gun deserved.
As others have said we need pictures before we can advise. There is however the other view in that if it's a good sporter then leave it as it is. I did once get my hands on a very nicely done Daniel Fraser of Edinburgh sporter which I sold on for more than the cost of a rather nice newly FTRd militarry rifle.
Looks really nice. Love the look of the wood. If I'm not mistaken it should have a ZAMAC alloy buttplate on that Canadian beauty. PM me if you need one, I have a couple in the parts bin.Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterChief
Tyson
This is my first time posting pictures so im unsure how well itll work.
Soo a few things caught my eye.
1) Its shorter than pictures ive seen
and 2) The front sight is tottally different and the back sight flips but has no tall sight (Im not sure what its called)
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Any help would be awesome!
Here are some things that are for sure:Quote:
Originally Posted by AFlyinfr1dge
1) the muzzle has been nipped -- meaning the barrel is 2-3 inches shorter than normal. You can have a new nose put on (costly) or replace the barrel (costly)
2) the front sight and the overstamping on the receiver seem to indicate a Parker Hale sporter. If you look carefully, you will most likely see Parker Hale stamped on the left side of the foresight. On the receiver you can see the FTR (Factory Thorough Repair) engraving, meaning the gun was reconditioned after the war. It means it was a high quality gun when sporterized.
The restoration is problematic because of the work needed on the barrel -- either replace it (a good gunsmith with the right tools -- like Brian Dick or Robert Snyder -- is best because it's not an amateur job), or elongate it (again this needs a machine shop).
The mag is a 5 round civilian version that you could trade even for a 10 round mag.
On the positive side, it's a Canadian Long Branch, which is one of the most sought after, highest quality Enfields.
You are probably looking at putting another $250 into the gun to bring it back to original. If you do, it's because its a labour of love, not because you will make money on it (unless you wait 5-10 years for prices to rise to compensate for the costs of restoration.)
I on the other hand, would just seek out a full wood original...they can be had and the cost will probably be less than restoration. There's about nothing that one doesn't need...entire front end and all the small parts, rear sight, mag complete, barrel change and shipping and insurance...