should I clean it?

[enfield303t]

Just a little off topic but this reminds me of a No4 I saw at a gun show two years ago. The owner had unwrapped it and it was perfect. Now to make things more unbelievable it came with a matching bayonet and he sold that as a seperate item to someone??

I know how rare wrapped guns are and to think he was asking a high price after what he did and adding insult to injury he seperated the gun from the bayonet... YOU REALLY CAN"T FIX STUPID.

This Savage is in beautiful condition and if you really LOVE Lee Enfields then you will preserve it out of respect.... SERIOUSLY.

I have a 1950 Long Branch with a transit case, appears to never have been issued, would I shoot it NEVER and told my son when he inherits my guns he must NEVER shoot it. He agreed and gave me his word.

[nattcmars]

Thank you for the input everyone. I have decided to leave it as is. I have a couple of unissued rifles in the collection so this one will go in the "dont shoot" safe. I was thinking that I have about 15 other Enfields that I can bring out to the range so let this one rest while the others get a workout. This is why I appreciate this site, the educated opinions and inputs of its members is extremely helpful. Once again, thanks everyone.

[Peter Laidler]

Wise man Natt. Clear a space for the MGB...... Or better still, the Triumph TR6

[Ridolpho]

I can certainly understand nattcmars decision not to shoot this rifle although I've shot a couple of equally newish ones simply to experience shooting an as-issued No.4. I worry more about shooting well used, but very collectable models that might be damaged by further use without rectification of problems. But a question, with reference to naatc's rifle, is this the typical appearance of Savage metalwork? One of his photos (I've attached it) shows what appears to be a parkerized finish while other shots look like my own well used Savages- some kind of smooth, shiny finish. Lots of old posts about Du-lite which Brian Dick has pointed out is actually a "blued" finish. Did Savage use multiple finishes through time? I know how tough it is to capture in a photo the subtleties of tone but I would like to know if this is a good example of typical Savage finish. Thanks.

Ridolpho

[nattcmars]

The bolt was extremely hard to get a photo of because the gun, especially the bolt, was slatered in tar like cosmo. Dark as the night. It appears the bolt body was polished and the handle was parked. When I get home from work in 2 weeks I will try to get some better pics of the bolt area if that would help any.

[Capt Mil Coll]

I commend your decision Natt. I would not shoot that rifle. I would hang it on the gun rack and show it off. Very nice rifle.

[The Monk]

Wise man Natt. Clear a space for the MGB...... Or better still, the Triumph TR6

Hello Peter.

Must be the same Peter as known on the MGOC long since?

Any how, there made for shooting. So look after them, and shoot them