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Help Needed with Recent Gun Show Purchase
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06-22-2009 02:11 PM
# ADS
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Neither of those modifications is anything to do with its former military service - I think its just been "improved" by a recent owner. The magazine mod sounds as if someone was trying to make a 40-70 conversion or similar.
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Hi Jim,
Sounds like just one extra step from the "standard" sporterization (Bubba's work) of a No4.
The barrel was cut to remove the "unsightly" bayonet lugs.
The magazine was cut, probably so it could fit flush with the forend.
Some companies commercially modified Lee Enfields, some did actually work reasonably carefully (Parker Hale) while some other companies disfigured the rifles.
Can you post a few pics?
Lou
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Legacy Member
Thunderbox and Lou, thanks for the quick response. I was afarid that "Bubba" had worked on this one. It is a real shame, as the stock, bolt, and magazine were all numbered to the receiver/action body. I've got it stripped down for cleaning and inspection right now -- as soon as I get it back together, I'll post a picture or two.
I guess at this point, I would have to replace the barrel and the magazine to restore it to military configuration. I found a few magazines at the gun show this past weekend, but wasn't willing to spend $50 for one right now. I noticed Numrich has replacement barrels ... would it be worth replacing the barrel?
Thanks again for the help.
Jim
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Might be a five shot "Santa Fe" mag
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Legacy Member
No, it is not a commerical magazine -- someone went to the trouble to cut down the original 10 shot military magazine. You can see clearly see the brazing. The real kicker is that the magazine is marked with the rifle's serial number in electopencil. I'm assuming this was done when it was FTR'd.
Jim.
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Wow -- what a nice colllection of guns. I've got a little over $200 US in the gun now -- a new mag and a new barrel would put my investment at over $300, so I agree -- probably not worth it. I'll just have to be more careful in the future. I'll try to post a picture later today or tomorrow.
Thanks again for your help.
Jim
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Jim, I've a sporterized No. 4 similar to Lou's. In an idle moment I dressed it up in some spare beechwood furniture I have and, while odd compared to the standard No.4s, the lack of the bayonet lugs gave it somewhat of a safari hunting rifle appearance that all-in-all looked rather nice.
Thousands of L-Es and other mil-surps were sporterized in the '50s and '60s, they are what they are and still can and should be enjoyed.
Brad
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Advisory Panel
The magazine may have been shortened to comply with local game laws requiring five shot magazines.
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