Lee-Enfield Mk1 No.4 rifle picture thread

[MJ1]

Lots of good things in print here.

If you get an invite use it and repay it when you can.

[madcratebuilder]

I had a lovely time removing 55 year old cosmoline from my 'new in the wrap' rifle yesterday. Actually I found that Eezox cuts it like butter. They marked ever part on this post war rifle.

[Peter Laidler]

With regard to the letter T stamped in the rifle bodyside, when I went to the old original H&H factory site before it was demolished and rebuilt, I rummaged in the old Enfielkd Inspectors room (then the tea/break room) and found about 5 or so of the old original T stamps. Most were damaged or just worn out through fair wear and tear but one was most distinct, with the leg of the T bent round at an angle (to the left I seem to remember.....) So if you have a rifle with that distinctly deformed letter T, then you know it's the real McCoy. No doubt if it was struck hard on the hardened part of the body, it was the end of the stamp

I also took the number 51 from the S51 but couldn't find the letter S

[Peter Laidler]

The left hand side of Madcrate builders 1955 Fazakerley rifle shows a distinct Fazakerley manufacturing feature. It's the solid left side sear and magazine catch axis pin block where the head of the mag catch screw is fully recessed. This feature was recorded in some of out identifying feature notes for No4's. Thanks for reminding us Madcrate breaker.

Doesn't anyone just use petrol for degreasing any more? Or is there an EU or NATO or UN rule about using it for fear of ending the world as we now know it?

[Alan de Enfield]

Doesn't anyone just use petrol for degreasing any more? Or is there an EU or NATO or UN rule about using it for fear of ending the world as we now know it?

I'm not sure, but I believe the UK NRA issued a warning, following concerns from the MOD & Police, that using petrol to clean an Enfield No4 was unsafe.

Sorry - maybe I'm getting confused with using ammunition in a No4.

+ with petrol at £1.19 per litre (thats about US$8.50 per gallon) I found its cheaper, (and quite successful) to use boiling water

[madcratebuilder]

Doesn't anyone just use petrol for degreasing any more? Or is there an EU or NATO or UN rule about using it for fear of ending the world as we now know it?

That was my original plan. Cold shop and finding the Eezox worked like a champ allowed me to set in front of the TV watching the 24hr race at Daytona.

[Peter Laidler]

No need to watch it on the TV Madcrate, just sit in my car on my way to work and those Daytona drivers all live in England. In fact, they surround me on my way to work every day!

[enfield303t]

Some great pictures and comments, many thanks to all. About 8 months ago I met someone selling raffle tickets on a ATV and we got talking and they told me they had a No4 in new condition with the barrel still full of grease. Naturally I was excited to see it and they told me they wanted $800.00 for it. I still was excited and made arrangements to visit them and take a look, although I wasn't prepared to pay their price...but you never know. Well the day arrived and on entering their house they handed me a perfect No4. I turned it over and on the other side was a VERY deep scratch about 5cm long. My heart stopped for a moment, I told them as kindly as possible that the scratch had dropped the value to the point I wasn't interested. A few days later I related the story to a good friend who was shocked as he had seen the rifle previously and it was perfect, no marks at all on the stock let alone a deep, long scratch. He said they were over optimistic on the price and that is why he didn't buy it and told me they somehow had done something that scratched it. It is sad, although overpriced it would have been a fantastic addition to any collection.

[MJ1]

Peter I drove from Derby to Cardiff one day and I have to agree with you.

Cheers

..MJ..