Printable View
Hey guys. I bought a No5 that I discovered in the used rack at my local GS, and it appears to be in mint condition. It has all matching sn, even the stock. The paint on it looks like new w/ a few chips here and there. My question is do you think that is is original or refinished? also is there anything that I should treat the stock with to keep it from drying out / cracking when I shoot it. Thanks for any info.
This is my first historical piece, now I'm looking for an M1:D
The electro-pencil markings look fairly pristine, which is usually an indication that the rifle is in original mint condition.
Boiled linseed oil is the usual wood treatment, but no need to panic about it - these rifles were stocked up in kiln-dryed wood, of types (walnut, beech) that remain hard and stable over decades.
Mishman 732, your rifle looks original enough, and seems to be the real thing.
It seems to have been refurbished or possibly un-issued.
My own No.5 Mk.1 saw a lot of abuse with some repairs on the butt and some pitting on the flash hider and the action. The serial number (a low serial) is on all parts accept on the magazine.
The rifle possibly saw service during the Malayan insurection.
It is stamped England. I believe that was done when it was imported to the US. Does that mean it was un-issued? Thanks again guys.
As I understand it from previous threads, the US local gun stores are notorious for just giving you a Lee Enfield bolt when you buy a Lee Enfield rifle. It'll pay you to look at the rear of the bolt lever and make sure that the number there is the same as that on the rifle body.
But just looking at the photos, your rifle looks like it hasn't had a hard life at all. Not like some of the old well-worn and used stuff that we had in 60's Malaya. But as Thunderbox says, just linseed oil the wood and it should out last you. But, if I might be so bold, might I suggest that just in case it has been out in the tropics, make sure that you have a look under the fore-end and handguard (....careful how you remove the forend please.....) and grease it up like it should be. While you've got the fore-end and handguard off, you might like to remove the varnish. Wood likes to breathe.
Nice find
Peter,
I have broken it down completely, and all sn match. I would like to remove the varnish and grease it like you say. Could you recommend on how I do both?
Nice find Mishman, an early import. Your description suggests it was imported before 1968, when only country of origin (ENGLAND) was required by the U.S. for importation as per the 1930 Tariff Act. The knee jerk Gun Control Act of 1968 banned importation of military surplus arms, until more reasonable legislation in 1986 allowed importation to resume, but NOW requiring the importer's name be applied. My 'ENGLAND' is stamped on the left wrist of my 1945 Faz. Also, before your No.5 was released from the military to the civilian market it had to be proofed in Birmingham, adding the 'BNP/tons' proof stamp. I found mine top of barrel just to rear of front sight. Sometimes they're more discreetly stamped under the hand guard. Where are your stamps? Cheers, Don
You could remove the varnish with a chemical but I don't know what sort of varnish it is. Laquer based, french polish type, polyurethane etc etc and I'm loath to suggest what we as armourers would do because (and I don't mean to sound unkind here.......) but we'd scrape it down and refinish making sure that we left all the edges intact and barely touched the wood in doing so.
Asa for the grease you use, well we used an XG279 grease that was the Armourers waterproof maid of all work - but there will be a US grease with similar properties that is readily available. Can anyone out there in the US suggest the same?
Here are some proof pics. I didn't have time this morning to look under the stock.
Yes, those are the expected stamps. Looks like you have a '0' bolt head, they came in 4 sizes '0' thru '3'. I think most shooters are happy to see a '0' on a new rifle-- as rifle wears you can increase size to maintain proper headspace. New rifles, however, don't always come with a '0', I have a new-in-wrap No.4 with a '2'. A search of this forum will find more specific info on bolt heads etc.
It's either a very poor varnish job indeed or repeated coats of some proprietary stock oil or possibly even linseed oil. You'd need to look carefully to see what was done before: was the metal work removed before this mystery finish was put on? If so, it might be varnish. Does the finish "splash over" onto the metal anywhere? If so, more likely to be an oil build up put on by hand with the rifle assembled.
I don't see any of the rounding over and loss of detail that usually accompanies Bubba's attempts at stock refinishing, so my guess is that it is just has oil rubbed on. In which case, you might as well leave well enough alone.
Fine steel wool would be the best course of action once the metal work is completely removed, if you're determined to do something, followed by linseed oil. Be very careful about rounding over the edges, as not only will you spoil the profile, but you will "go through" the existing finish and that will produce an inconsistent look when the new oil is applied.
Innumerable vintage arms have been spoiled by over-enthusiastic tinkerers who just can't resist "improving" things. If in doubt, do nothing, though of course the tinkerers rarely have any doubts.
Not trying to be patronizing; please take in the spirit intended. ;-)
Very nice condition rifle by the look of it, deserves careful handling.
But Gunmakers (London) rather than Birmingham.Quote:
Originally Posted by drweiler
That is because the No.4 was designed to use pre-sized bolt heads from factory to the grave. The idea being that on the production line one didn't need a gun fitter to fit the bolt to the rifle, as one did with the SMLE et al, just someone who could use go no-go gauges.Quote:
Originally Posted by drweiler
Ooooooooooo...... not QUITE Beery..... Maybe it's in the wording, but......... Fitting the BOLT on the production line was a skilled job that operation still required hand fitting right up until production ceased. But fitting the BOLT HEAD to the fitted bolt and setting the CHS was a semi skilled fitters job. Thereafter they were wired together and remained a matched set
Good eye Beerhunter! Don
You are spot on - bad wording.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
Thanks for all the input. I will just leave the stock as is. I'm still not sure where to grease the rifle. I just keep a light coating of miltec on the bolt and rails.