What have i done?

[Robert303]

They say never buy the story, they say never buy unseen. However when something is miles away and the price is not too outrageous one has to take a risk. Said to have been an Enforcer but with the numbers ground off. what have I in fact bought?
L39? No4 Conv? Envoy?
It has no scope mount holes on the bridge of the receiver so has NOT been scoped.
It has a 303 No4 magazine as a loading platform
The Bolt head is marked 0

I have read this old thread
L39 owners weekend reading............
There are few other marks. The holes in the woodwork look amateur.

I will now attempt pics

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.

[Beerhunter]

I'd say that it is a No.4 that has been converted to a 7.62mm target rifle. I do not see any evidence of a military connection. That is to say it is not an L39. Nor do I think that is is an Enforcer nor an L42.

It was Proofed in Birmingham some time post-1954. Does it have the Birmingham crossed sceptres date code?

[Brian Dick]

The buttstock looks like an AJP commercial variant. Enforcers had Monte Carlo style butts made in Italy which are distinctly different. The Envoy had a distinct Enfield produced pistol grip buttstock. It may be a legit L39A1, No.4 7.62 Conv or Envoy with the bodyside markings scrubbed but I'd lean more towards a commercially built rifle by AJP. I could be wrong.

[Peter Laidler]

You can easily tell whether the side of the body has been machined or filed back by measuring the width with a micrometer. But LOOKS like a bog standard Fazakerley Mk1/2 or a Mk2 to me, linished away (badly) and blued with a wishy-washy cold blue

[Robert303]

Thanks for the info so far.I knew it was a risk and will just have to hope it shoots well. It did however do me one very big favour, I now KNOW a certain person is NOT to be trusted and that is worth the £100 or so I might have lost.
I'll clean it up and shoot it. If it shoots well I might put a Pecar on it. The first thing to do will be to get a 7.62 Magazine for it so if anyone has one for sale please PM me.

[Peter Laidler]

7.62 magazines sometimes fit and work without having the mag well modified but don't bank on it for several reasons.

Can I PLEASE suggest that if you're going to telescope the rifle, please don't go down the drilling and tapping the breeching up ring. In my humble engineering experience, it's the zenith of poor engineering in theory and practice

The SCREW, tie, fore-end needs taking out, the hole plugging, made good and re-drilling to shank size and head size as the bolt head has pulled through

[Alan de Enfield]

Thanks for the info so far.I knew it was a risk and will just have to hope it shoots well. It did however do me one very big favour, I now KNOW a certain person is NOT to be trusted and that is worth the £100 or so I might have lost.
I'll clean it up and shoot it. If it shoots well I might put a Pecar on it. The first thing to do will be to get a 7.62 Magazine for it so if anyone has one for sale please PM me.

The magazine will cost a bit more than the rifle did, a Pecar 4-10 scope will cost 3x or 4x what the rifle cost, the scope mounts will cost about the same as the rifle - is it really worth it ? It will always be a 'parentless' put-together and worth less than the component parts.

[bigduke6]

Robert,

Don't know what you paid so can't comment on that side although you mention a £100 is this what you could loose if you return it ?, it may be worth contacting Simon to see if the serial number on the wrist matches one on the list of L39's , other option if your not too happy contact the seller and arrange to return it.........

I,ve bought and returned a few lemons in my time so know what its like...... a few examples are on this thread Buy the rifle not the story!!!!! post #59

[Lee Enfield]

They say never buy the story, they say never buy unseen. However when something is miles away and the price is not too outrageous one has to take a risk. Said to have been an Enforcer but with the numbers ground off. what have I in fact bought?
L39? No4 Conv? Envoy?
It has no scope mount holes on the bridge of the receiver so has NOT been scoped.
It has a 303 No4 magazine as a loading platform
The Bolt head is marked 0

I have read this old thread
L39 owners weekend reading............
There are few other marks. The holes in the woodwork look amateur.

I will now attempt pics

Looks to me like you scored, you paid close to what the barrel would be worth for a complete gun, and sights alone which are probably worth somewhere on the order of $300+ (L160) by themselves (assuming you also got a front sight).

[Robert303]

OK I've bought a pup. But it has some value in the barrel and sights. it's not worth putting £400 of Pecar and mounts on and I take Peters point about NOT drilling and tapping the breeching up ring. As my woodworking skills stop at 6 inch nails It will be interesting to see if my skilled woodworking friends can help with 'The SCREW, tie, fore-end needs taking out, the hole plugging, made good and re-drilling to shank size and head size as the bolt head has pulled through' problem. I'll make my mind up in a couple of days whether to try and insert it into the dealers ++++ or use it.

As a matter of interest would it be considered 'Bad Form' if I was to post the dealers advert and a screen grab of the page here?