Anyone have any Idea the History of this Rifle?

[Macubus]

Hi All,

I just recently purchased my first Lee Enfield; a Stevens/Savage Lease Lend No 4 MK1*, but mine looks a little odd. First, it looks like it may have been outfitted with a civilian sporting barrel with a sight of English origin, and the handguard is as you can see a civilian patterned piece as well. The rear of the stock looks to be similar to original, having a military butt plate (in chrome) with hole for storage.

I literally heard a knock on my door, signed for it, snapped these pictures looked ever so briefly over it (needs cleaned badly) and headed to work, so unfortunately I probably can't answer any inquiries about it, since I had possession of it for 4 minutes tops. Paid 299 for it, plus 30 shipping.

Any ideas? Did I pay too much for it?

Information

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[Brian Dick]

It's just one of many thousands butchered into a deer rifle post military service.

[limpetmine]

And it was a nice Savage /3 before the hack job was done to it.
If you need a handy deer rifle, this will do the trick. Not much for collecting.

[Maxwell Smart]

As limpetmine says, was a nice /3.

The markings on the receiver, and the presence of the small bolt through the rear end of the forestock indicate that the rifle was upgraded late in its military service. This upgrade was to install the later pattern trigger mount. So designation would have changed from No 4 Mk 1* to No 4 Mk 1/3.

Looks like a quite serviceable hunting rifle now.

[Mk VII]

Looks like a Parker-Hale 'De Luxe', which was one up from the 'Standard' model. Many thousands were done like these for export (zero market for them here)

[Frederick303]

I actually have a fondness for the Parker Hale sporters, my first Enfield was one of them. Paid 60 bucks for a like new one in 1982. sold it for 70 to someone around 2007 who wanted it. They are nice rifles

[henry r]

As far as sporters go it is quite nice.

Also, is that a Kerr sling?

[browningautorifle]

is that a Kerr sling

Nope, it's an Uncle Mikes...civilian.

[Surpmil]

The journey of a thousand rifles begins with a single purchase...however humble.

Strong, reliable, accurate, peep sights, 10 round mag, two stage trigger, cheap. What's not to like? Though with the shorter barrel you'd need a No.5 backsight for the markings to bear any relation to the point of impact.

Personally I'd fit a handguard, but that's just me. Something like what you see on the No.5 "Jungle Carbine".

Have fun.