Questions of an Enfield Noobie

[Maplebacon]

Hi folks, been doing some research of late and happened upon this overwhelming site.
Lots to see and absorb here. This said, I have a couple questions off the bat, things I haven't been able to nail down just yet.

I recently purchased a Savage No4 Mk1*, yet to be delivered. Reportedly it has all matching numbers including the magazine, and the squared-font Savage "S" in many places. Does not look to have been painted/tarred, nor has it the ishy screw. The previous owner was told it was a DCM purchase of the person he acquired it from a number of decades ago and it still has the same preservative grease/cosmoline.

Now for the questions:
- At what SN would Savage have begun using the smooth as opposed to grooved handguard?
- At what SN did Savage have the year stamped on the ring as opposed to the receiver? (I have seen years stamped in both places on 42 and 43 Savages. Is there a trend for which was stamped where/when?)
- Was the Walnut Savage used originally stained or simply oiled with Tung/BLO?

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[lucky dog]

The grooved handguards were not used in any specific seral number blocks or by specific year, these rifles were assembled with whatever furniture happened to be on hand at the time. No rhyme or reason it seems. The original and correct finish on Enfields is raw linseed oil. The serial number location question I can't answer.

[Maplebacon]

Savage changed serial location and dropped the manufacturing year stamping in late 1942. Also, the idea Savage used walnut in Stratton's book is a misprint. Savage always used birch. It was not stained a particular color. The color we are used to is due to boiled linseed oil that has darkened over time.

I've seen the year stamp on 1943 Savages in both places: receiver side and the ring.

Here is one:
No4 MK1 Scope and mount help "T" stamp ! ! ! !! HELP - The Lee Enfield Forum - General Gun Collecting - ParallaxBill's Curio & Relic and Military Surplus Firearms Forums - Message Board - Yuku

Here is another (half way down the page):
Survey of Savage #4 serial number ranges, update 08/01/05 - The Lee Enfield Forum - General Gun Collecting - ParallaxBill's Curio & Relic and Military Surplus Firearms Forums - Message Board - Yuku

Also, do you have a link/documentation to the fact they only used birch?

The grooved handguards were not used in any specific seral number blocks or by specific year, these rifles were assembled with whatever furniture happened to be on hand at the time. No rhyme or reason it seems. The original and correct finish on Enfields is raw linseed oil. The serial number location question I can't answer.

Were the handguards on the original Savages made by more than a single sub-contractor?

[Gary D]

regarding grooved handguards it's my observation (not written anywhere) that grooved handguards appear to have been removed from production in late '42 to early '43 however likely thousands were still in the system and when you consider how many still would have been in the base shops it understandable that they appear throughout the war years, but significantly less after late '43. This seems to be the case with all manufactures.

[Claven2]

Savage changed serial location and dropped the manufacturing year stamping in late 1942. Also, the idea Savage used walnut in Stratton's book is a misprint. Savage always used birch. It was not stained a particular color. The color we are used to is due to boiled linseed oil that has darkened over time.

[Maplebacon]

Double post... oops.

[Maplebacon]

Make that a triple post...

[Maplebacon]

I suppose I will chalk this up to: not enough supporting data.