Looking for a little information on a new to me Enfield

[kiotiugly]

This is my first post - trying to find some information about an Enfield. I posted this earlier on another forum, and one of the members suggested I try my luck here.

A week ago I was perusing a local gun shop and came across a sporterized Enfield. I've been looking for an Enfield to add to my collection, and while it has been sporterized and is missing a few pieces, the price was good, so it followed me home.

I will try to post some pictures to get this thread going in the right direction.

The wrist ring has an engraving of a crown, with E.R. under that. Then it says "BSACo, 1904, SHTLE, I***

The barrel has several small proof marks, then under those an "S", 40232. The receiver says "ER", the 6668 under that. Beneath that, there is a 40232 that is crossed out. I assume this is indication of a "forced match" at some point. The bolt handle also says 6668.

There is an "HV" and a "2" stamped on the barrel to the rear of the rear sight. The rear sight itself says "ICR 1559 R.F.I." and is graduated from 2-8. It is missing the elevation adjustment assembly, so I would like to find a rear sight replacement for it.

The stock has a crack, both upper handguards are missing, and the bottom forstock has been cut down (roughly). After seeing the prices for replacement wood, I think the costs of that will more than double my investment in the rifle, so I will probably re-stock it with an aftermarket if I can find one or maybe make my own for it.

I don't think that this rifle is worth anything more than a shooter, but for $100, now I have a project that I can spend way more than that on!

Are there any good sources for a rear sight or stocks that I may have missed. I've searched Yahoo and Google links and Gunbroker and Ebay, with some results, but all pretty pricey. And that may be just the way it is.

I would appreciate any information anyone has. Thanks for the help.

Information

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[kiotiugly]

Here's a few more pictures. The main information that I'm looking for is "What do I have and what do I need to look for in terms of parts."

I'm torn between trying to restore it vs. continuing to "bubba" it. I know I need to replace or at least get some parts for the rear sight, but I don't know which one I need.

The stock sets that I see sell for far more than I paid for the rifle. I don't plan on selling it, so I'm not worrying about it in terms of an investment, but I don't want to throw a ton of money at it either. Of course, it's something that I can get a piece at a time, so long a I know what I'm looking for.

I really appreciate any help you guys can give me. Thanks again.

[gsimmons]

Look in the Knowledge Library for the description and photo essay on the SMLE MkI***. That will give you an idea of what parts you need. I would try to restore it, it's quite a rare rifle as far as Enfields go. Yes you will put more into than it may be worth but, you'll be saving an early SMLE. Ian Skennerton's "The Lee Enfield" is the best book on the subject.

---------- Post added at 08:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:45 AM ----------

It's not "force matched", it's been re numbered for Irish service in the interwar years.

[A square 10]

oddly enough you found one of the more sought after early mkI SMLEs , as is normally the case with these someone cut it up , but its probably salvageable , it has one of the bits you need in the rear volley in place , it has the original charger bolt head in place but missing the charger bit , the cutoff is gone and the rear sight is wrong but , hey its a great project rifle , and worthy of the work ,

[Badger]

The one in the MKL gsimmons referes to is here:

1907 ShtLE (Short Lee-Enfield) MkI*** Rifle

There's some interesting information posted in that article by John Thorne.

Regards,
Doug

[A square 10]

these have some special features that the article discusses ,

the front bit has different sight protector ears than the mkIII -



the forend has the volley dial and pointer and the hand guards are different than the mkIII -



the rear volley sight arm -



early cocking bit -



the rear "watkins speed" sight -




the cutoff and the charger bolt head -




if i missed something im certain there are others more competent than i here that will jump in with info ,

[kiotiugly]

Thanks for the pictures and information. I've got to admit that I am overwhelmed with the variety of Enfields that exist. I went to a gun show this weekend and looked at some of the No. 4s and realized that there really isn't a lot in common between these two.

Is the charger head stripper clip guide (I don't even know for sure what to call it) a part that is available anywhere? What about the rear sight that was shown? I know that those are two parts I would like to add/replace on mine no matter what I do with it later, and would like to get the correct parts in case I ever want to try to restore it.

I really appreciate all of this help. I hope to be able to add something productive to the discussion at some point rather than just trying to mooch answers!

Thanks gain.

[RobD]

You can get repro Mk 1 parts from
EFD Rifles - The Enfield Specialists
but the prices are high - I count ~$600 for the parts you need which they carry, and that doesn't include everything.

[kiotiugly]

Thanks for the point in the right direction. Looks like this will settle into a long term "see what I can find" type of project.