How did I do and a little help (first LE)

Well ive just impulse bought myself my first LE. Once it was in my hands it was pretty impossible not to leave with it. Ive post a few pics to help (if they work) and have a few questions about the rifle I hope can be answered in one place rather than searching through damn confusing different models and varients.

Its a No.4 Mk 1/2 10/49 and PF23 serial number from Fazakerly.

The barrel band has an F53 on it and its stamped BNP in a few places with a nice set on markings on the bolt head. Pic too big to upload but its crossed rifles and other markings in the spaces too small to read without natural light.

It also has the old engraving that has been rubbed of the No.4 mk 1 ROF that is now barely visable but it has no FTR markings.

It has the brass butt plate rather than the steel.

It also has the screw/winder ladder sights with H 100 25 on one side and 50 on the other. No other distance markings. This confused me a bit as id never seen sights marked like that (although ive not seen many Enfields) I took a pic but its too large to upload apparently.

Anyone feel like starting a newbie off on some info about his rifle? Oh I only paid £375 for it too from a store. Needs a clean through but theres no pitting of crown damage and after tweaking the mag lips a little it feeds like a dream. Absolutely any info will be much appreciated. Is it def a 1949 manufacture?

Ill add more pics as and when I can if requested.

Few more.

You have a .22" No8 rifle backsight on your rifle! It was upgraded to Mk1/2 standard (from Mk1 spec) at Fazakerley in Liverpool in October 1949. Can't tell where it was originally made though. Looks like there has previously been an optical sight fitted by the screws in the breech ring.

To get any further info we'll need to see the left body side and butt socket

Thanks for the reply. Ill get some pics up i the morning. Yes it looks like a mount was there but its going to be a regular shooter not a wall hanger so im not too worried.

Ill replace the rear sight though but which one is the original! I can find the 3 different no.4 rear sights and im useless so there must be loads!

Nice looking rifle. Pretty good taste in litarature as well.

Original sight LOOKS like what you've already got but marked from 2 (200) to 13 (1300) yards. Easy to find and ten a penny

Hooked, I have so many books I cant move without falling over some. Im a horder when it comes to books.

Will I need a new axis pin etc for the new sight or is it false economy to use old ones again?

Few of the left side as requested. No notable markings on the rear band.

It was owned by a Met Pol licencing officer who gave up shooting recently so Id expect it would be well looked after. Everything feels relatively stiff and new but smooth as butter. Desperate to shoot it and my shopping list keeps growing. I knew I should have bought a new commercial rifle :-)

'Police Officer' ........ 'Well looked after' .......... Two phrases that don't sit easily together. Have you ever bought an ex Police car.......? Sorry, just my take on ironic humour.

Look at the state of the old axis pin before yopu buy a new one. If it's ridged then replace but otherwise keep it.

It looks like it has had a P-H vernier sight fitted to it in the past too from the threaded hole in the bridge

Its because the cars arent theirs......haha!

Thanks for your help! I cant wait to get to the range and get shooting. Plan is to use this rifle and learn to maintain it properly and to learn about the gun then get a completely unmolested model once im proficient with the upkeep and I can shoot straight! Im very happy with my purchase though !

The more you look the more old markings you can find. Theres a few that are just too worn to see properly. One that looks like a crest/coat of arms.

Then there are these that are just about visible.

Would this rifle not have been Suncorited when new?
If so, OP, you might consider welding up the holes and having it blasted, phosphated and suncorited.
I've no idea where you'd get that done in the UK, but there must be places. ;)

If you do go down that route, just make sure that you remove the barrel before you tig-weld the holes up. Otherwise, no matter how careful you or your welder is, the barrel will be there for ever and a day

Ill pretend I understood what you mean....lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

tig-weld the holes

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You'll weld the barrel to the receiver...while you fill the holes. So, you have to do the holes as an individual job, no barrel on it.

In all honesty OJ121, it's probably not worth refurbishing unless you know a friendly armourer who will do it for you gratis. Better to find a rifle that is already in the state you want.

The rifle is slightly interesting as it must be right at the cusp of the transition from No4 MkI to No4 Mk2 production (looks like 10/49) and was appears to have had the Mk1/2 trigger-hung-on-the-body modification before it left the factory.

Others will know whether I am correct in that or not.