I believe that Enfield had closed dowm their woodwork shop which is why Parker Hale had to but the butts from Sile and the Forends from Colin Moon for the Enforcer.
I believe that Enfield had closed dowm their woodwork shop which is why Parker Hale had to but the butts from Sile and the Forends from Colin Moon for the Enforcer.
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
No doubt the machinery went somewhere then.
Saw a reference recently to the stocks for the Whittaker Specials being made at a London furniture factory. As in the "Wood Goes to War" documentary, the old-line factories would have had all the equipment to make whatever was required. The only question would be whether it was economic for them or the client to get it set up for a production run.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Edward Bernays, 1928
Much changes, much remains the same.
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
This was the Goodwood Frame factory in Hackney owned by Victor Toogood; Bert Whittaker was given Victor's name by Peter Moon who was either involved (or running?) Sterling Armaments at the time.
Victor had been making wooden stocks for Sterlings AR180's to give them a more "sporting" look and appeal for the Britishgun market.
Bert Whittaker originally wanted Mansonia a west African tropical hardwood for his "Special"; Victor suggested Afromosia (African teak) because of its cost and availability, looking at the Whittaker's I have owned over the years it was a good choice!
Foot note:
Bert was a pipe smoker with a habit of tapping out his pipe on the heel of his shoe; Victor had to remonstrate with Bert that was something you didn't do in a factory where the floor was covered in saw dust and wood shavings!
Edited to add,
I have Victor's templates for the stocks in my attic!
Last edited by Strangely Brown; 04-02-2025 at 06:05 AM.
Mick