I think I understand the fore-end fitting finally... I think?

[corco]

Reviving a topic from an old tread on fore-end fitting.

Getting the most accuracy from a No. 4 MK1*

I think I understand the fore-end fitting finally... I think?

I am finally restoring a 1942 Long Branch No 4 Mk 1 that I bought back in 1998 for $30 USD.

I read Mr. Laidlers articles and the thread above and finally a light bulb light up above my head.

I have my L.B disassembled so I verified that the King screw is the pivot point of the fore-end and I found that the barrel actually presses down on the fore-end with about 7 - 9 lbs of pressure, I am guessing, on my rifle. Because of this then the rear of the fore-end locks up against the butt socket. Does that sound about right?

Another thing is I think my stock may have shrunk because I smeared my wife’s lip stick ( with her permission of course) on the butt socket (because I don't have Prussian Blue) to see where the fore-end touches the butt stock socket.

Unfortunately only the upper part of the rear of the fore-end is where the metal tie-plate is touches the butt stock socket. The bottom of the fore-end does not appear to have a noticeable gap between it and the butt socket. The draws seem to also have adequate contact (used lip stick on them too). I circled the points of contact in yellow in the picture.

So I was wondering if a good overnight soaking in pure raw linseed oil would help things out? Do I need to mix the pure raw linseed oil with anything else?

Thank you again. I seem to have the Enfield bug and have a lot of questions lately.

Corco

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