What’s your Lee Enfield Holy Grail?

[brnom2]

I have, for some years searched for a good representative No4 T, as my "holy grail"- to no avail. After wasting my time chasing leads and looking into a series of supposed T's for sale here in OZ that all turned out to be fakes or build-ups with little merit (especially at the prices being asked) I must admit I became some dejected with the whole thing. It started me thinking though, and came to realize that in reality I already had my holy grail Enfield. Some years ago my father gave me his ex fullbore rifle. Its a 1942 Matby No4 Mk1. Its history of being my fathers fullbore rifle (he was a considered a good shot on the West Oz fullbore comp scene in the late 60's/pre changeover to Omark days) makes it for me. To purists it probably would be considered a bit of a pig, as some items would be considered more "wrong" than right (most work on it was done in late 60's, not by me) Was re-barrelled with a Sportco 5 groove barrel in 68. The wood (lovely honey coloured Beach) has been done in some sort of clear finish. It has at some point picked up a Savage marked magazine. It is centre bedded (please don't flame me, im not starting that argument again, just stating what is) Is missing the bolt release plunger and was missing butt sling swivel. It came with PH5 rear sight, PH trigger guard sling swivel and Central adjustable front blade. I changed the PH5 for a Mk1 backsight and fitted standard blade and rear sling swivel and webbing sling. I use it for service rifle shooting and think of my father and everything he has taught me each and every time I use it. I have several other No4's and a P14, all of which would probably all be considered in better condition or more orig than my Matby, but I couldn't ask for a finer Lee Enfield.

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[bladeartist]

My Lee Enfield Holy Grail would have to be the No. 4, Mk 1 that I sporterized. Manufactured in 1943, it has a brass butt plate and ladder rear sight. These are the modifications I made to it:
1. Removed brass butt plate and replaced it with a cushioned rubber recoil pad.
2. Removed beech wood fore-arm furniture and rear top barrel cover and added black fore-end with rounded off end.
3. Bedded the barrel.
4. Sanded out dings in beech wood stock and refinished it with clear varnish.
5. Made a cheek-rest as close to original sniper rifle cheek rest as possible (out of a rolling pin) and added it to the stock. Then added a laced rubber cheek cushion sleeve with 5 round cartridge carrier and weather flap.
6. Added a front sight cover.
7. Replaced mil-spec 10 rd. magazine with a new aftermarket hunting-legal five round magazine.
8. Added weaver scope rings and 10X32 Burris scope with flip-up lens covers.

I now have a great looking British .303 sniper rifle.