No 5 Carbine project- Input welcome and appreciated

[Catch22]

I made a fairly spontaneous purchase recently of a No 5 carbine that's in need of some work. The price was right, so I figured what the heck.

I haven't dove into it too far just yet. The forestock is missing a small piece at the rear, next to the receiver. The buttstock is loose as a goose, though I haven't gotten far enough to tell if it's a loose screw or if it's worn where it goes into the wrist (I think the latter). I'm also going to have to find a handguard and magazine.

I can't make out much for markings just yet. I need to disassemble and give it a good cleaning. Poor things been used and abused, it appears. There's some minor pitting on it, though I won't know how bad until I get the wood off. What I can see at the woodline isn't major, but is enough to shake my head at the past owners' lack of maintenance.

So, I'd like to get some input and advice from guys that know a bit more than I.

The finish seems to be some kind of lacquer or something. From what I have always understood, Enfields typically are an oil-finish (dipped in hot linseed oil). Not a big deal if that's what is appropriate, I've done some work on a couple other Enfields in the collection and used BLO with success on them. Is that the route to take to keep it in more of an original finish when I restore?

With the lack of handguards, I'm looking at getting a No 4 handguard and doing the work to replace what's missing. I've found a couple without the grooves and I have the ability to groove it for the bands. My biggest concern there would be differing woods. However, I don't see a way of avoiding that without finding a complete stock set, which is like finding a Leprechaun riding a Unicorn.

I'm also likely going to have to replace some screws and other parts as I go along, as someone's not done it any favors. But that's the fun of restorations, i guess.

Any input and advice is more than welcome!

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