No4Mk1 maker

[CINDERS]

As I am not a qualified gunsmith Brian Dick would be the man to ask as I do not want to say stuff that could be wrong and detrimental to the rifle or yourself.

[Alan de Enfield]

Reinstalled the front sight. It only went in from left to right. Stamp on sight was "03" on right side and "B" on left. It fits snug but a sharp jar on the left side could possibly loosen it.
Thank you for the info.

BEAR
Attachment 106040

Don't assume that the front sight blade should be 'central'.
It should be tight enough that recoil cannot move it, and tight enough that it needs a 'tool' (punch) to move it sideways.

You will need to fire off a few rounds so you can 'zero' it, it may need moving a fair-way to one side of the other.


Actually, looking at the original photo, I think the mounting for the blade is broken off / damaged. How did you reattach the bit that fell off ?

[mrclark303]

I would remove the varnish/boiled linseed finish from the woodwork and re-oil with raw linseed.

Nice looking Maltby though.

[mrclark303]

I would remove the varnish/boiled linseed finish from the woodwork and re-oil with raw linseed.

Nice looking Maltby though.

A few observations...

The 'NP' marking is from the London proof house.

Your rifle never went through the post war FTR program (Factory Thorough Repair), so probably remained in store post war and was more than likely purchased by Interarms and exported as part of their massive Enfield procurement from the UK government in the late 1950's.

[Brian Dick]

The brass rod isn't threaded like the Australian variant. Just get a long piece of the correct diameter and peen it over neatly on both ends. I've never done a No.4 but have done one on a MLE Mk.1 several years ago. They are a bit different and have a brass washer on each end.

Is your front sight blade of the split dovetail variety that I mentioned before? I always drive them in from right to left. It can be adjusted either way flush with the base and still be within MoD specification.

[Sunray]

The "NP", "303 2", "18.5 TONS". is a partial Birmingham Nitro Proof(BNP) stamp. Required on all milsurps that were sold through England. The 'England' stamp is an American thing. The grey Parkerizing isn't original.
I think, and it's a very big WHAG, it's probably a parts rifle that appears to have been seriously cosmetically damaged. That doesn't mean it's unsafe. Just that the markings have been removed.
Check the head space before shooting it. Assuming that's in the plan.

[BEAR]

Again, my thanks to all who responded. The front sight is dovetailed and it slipped into the base from left to right and stopping with the sight blade in line with the center lines on the base. The left side of the base dovetail appears to be looser then the right side dove tail. I plan to peen the left side after my son shoots it again.
Attachment 106049
Looking closer at the stock pin hole there appears to be a roll pin inserted instead of the standard brass pin. I guess that will work since that is stronger than brass.
While I have never shot this rifle, my son has shot it multiple times with no problems.
Thank you again for all responses.

BEARAttachment 106050

[Brian Dick]

That's the wrong type front sight blade which explains why the base is beat to crap trying to keep it tight. Don't beat on it any more. Get the right type blade for the solid front sight base. I may have one here the same height. Email me if you want it.

There's nothing wrong with the Parkerized finish and I don't think the markings are damaged at all. It isn't original but post WWII they were Parkerized and painted so all you need is a paint job if you want it to be to MoD rustproof specification. Clean the varnish off, finish with raw linseed oil, paint the metal and Bob's your Uncle!

[englishman_ca]

Just to adjust Sunray's assessment a little....

The thing has been nowhere near the Birmingham Proof House. The proof marks are from the London Proof House pre 1954. The NP is for Nitro Proof and not a partial Birmingham Nitro Proof mark.

All arms sold through the British Gun Trade are required to be in proof. It would be a UK dealer that had it proofed in preparation for sale on the British market. So this rifle was likely purchased from a UK dealer as opposed to directly from the Government for export.

It was subsequently exported to the USA before the 1968 ban on imports. The ENGLAND is a USA import marking.

Judging by the patina, this rifle and its parts have been together for quite some time. It is a surplus battle rifle, well used. I feel that it is likely not to be a recent refurb, it looks legit to me. If not, it has been tastefully 'restored.'

[BEAR]

That's the wrong type front sight blade which explains why the base is beat to crap trying to keep it tight. Don't beat on it any more. Get the right type blade for the solid front sight base. I may have one here the same height. Email me if you want it.

Thank you for the sight offer, but since this is my son's rifle, I will leave it up to him.

BEAR