1st Enfield - please help!

[Quantrill]

This is my first Enfield. No.4 Mk I 1942 Long Branch. Please forgive my ignorance.

I've read through the various PDF files I've found (operating manual, maintenance manual, etc...). The previous owner used it as a deer rifle apparently. I see the holes for the flip up rear sight but it is not there. A Williams rear sight has been put on. From what I remember of the few previous Enfields I've seen, this is not normally on there, right?

The serial numbers for the bolt and magazine match (26489), but the band that attaches to the trigger assembly has a different serial number (NIZ 24506 15L5xxx).

On the left side, there is a hole (just past where the bolt head is, over on the right side). What is this for?

The steel buttplate has a crack in it. Where would I find a new one?

I gather it was made in Canada in 1942. What else can anyone tell me about it? Any ideas/suggestions on what I can do to it?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

(EDIT - I'm trying to upload pictures.)

Information

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[Quantrill]

more pics

[newcastle]

nice sporterized No.4 Mk1. I'd leave it as it is as there has been some metal work done which may ruin the finish if you tried to restore it anyway.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

"On the left side, there is a hole.."
That's a gas vent in the event of a ruptured case or pierced primer. The steel buttplates are on Ebay all the time.

[RJW NZ]

Nice classic rifle you have there.
The rear sight you now have is a classic hunters choice, it gives quick acquisition and a good view. Taking it off, plugging the screw holes and reinstalling the stock rear one is an easy option if you want to go that way, cost for a sight is about $20 at Numrich.
Your rifle is a military one that has been sporterized by simply cutting the wood back, as the barrel is in its original length if you ever decide to , restoring it to original is a snap.
Spare and replacement parts for enfields are plentiful and affordable at the right places, especially if you're in the US, a whole No4 wood set can be under $100 for example.
In addition ebay is a constant source of parts, and can be a nice way to contact other enfielders/
More more enfield info go to enfieldresource.com,its a links sight to every darn enfield source on the planet.
The hole on th eleft side is an emergency gas vent, don't block it and don't worry about it. It almost never gets used, in 15 years I've never seen a backfart come out of one, but it will save the pressure pushing the bolt backwards if there's a broken case or blocked barrel.
A replacement brass but plate is less than $15 and brass would be correct for yours too.
Your rifle was made by Longbranch canada. They have a reputation for good quality work. Many have two groove barrels and others have 5 grooves, if yours looks like unexpectedly wide rifling its probably two groove. It makes no difference to accuracy etc, just an interesting point. two grooves are more often seen on cannons fyi and lol.
btw if you want to get a few comparison ideas about enfields go and browse gunbroker.com, you'll see all sorts of rifles and parts and it will give you a good perspective on your own.
Welcome to the forum, there's a gold mine of knowledge here, and a load of friendly coots too.

[SpikeDD]

Just to add a little something to the above information... Your rifle is also N^Z marked... New Zealand. That is why there is a "second" set of serial numbers. As a collector, I would be looking to restore that rifle . Nice find.

[Quantrill]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

Just to add a little something to the above information... Your rifle is also N^Z marked... New Zealand. That is why there is a "second" set of serial numbers. As a collector, I would be looking to restore that rifle . Nice find.

So does that mean part of the rifle was made in NZ and part was made in Canada? Or does NZ mean it was issued to someone in New Zealand?

[dieppe42]

Drop me an email at: chansey09@yahoo.ca and I'll send you a new replacement steel buttplate for your rifle.

[Quantrill]

email sent. Thanks!

[Rumpelhardt]

I'm fairly new to this also. I undid some industrious fellows sporterizing on a Long Branch and I found it to be an enjoyable. So much so that am looking for another project. There are a lot of resources for both parts and information so just research and ask here if you can't find the answer to your questions. The parts shopping is half the fun at least for me.