P.O.F. No. 4 Mk 1

[limpetmine]

From the readings I've made, from the same books you've got, POF production of the No. 4 Mk 1 was on the edit: Corrected to BSA Shirley [not Maltby] machinery, which may have left as early as 1949, but production started in 1951, based on input from a member here. The earliest production date published to date, that I'm aware of is 1952.
10,000 of these rifles are estimated to have been produced, with the end of production in 1956 (est.).
Here is a 1956 model of a POF No. 4 Mk1, via India, with what appears to be a new (beautiful) forestock, an older buttstock, and a mix of new and old parts, i.e. M47 safety, (F) backsight, and POF front band. The wood is oversized, and brass butt plate is attached. Alas, no goodies in the butt trap.
This is one of the nicer POF's I've seen (IMHE) and will disregard the missing magazine.
Oh, by the by, the forestock is serialed to the rifle

/limpetmine

Information

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[jmoore]

Wouldn't mind stumbling across one! Just not right now, trying to pay off other toys first.

[bearhunter]

Those POF No4 Mk1 rifles are the steal of this millennium. We didn't get many up here in Canada. Not that I've seen anyway. Most of the rifles we see here are Indian purchases from England, USA or Canada. They can be real mixmasters or as new, depending on the luck of the draw.
POF No4 MkII rifles are more common. They are the next steal of the millennium. They come in fantastic circasian walnut and again, some are all matching and as new, with only a few handling marks. Mine was built in 1959.
One thing is common amongst the MkIIs though. They have tight bores. I've had the opportunity to measure half a dozen and they have bores that measure from .309 to .311, with 3 of them at .310. They are very accurate as well as all I've seen have excellent bores.

My question for limpetmine is, what does your bore measure to?

Nice looking rifle by the way. Lee Enfields are in a class of their own and are probably one of the finest bolt action battle rifles ever built. I know that's sacrilege to mauser and springfield afficienados and I own those as well but the Lee Enfields will do everything and then some that the others will do under all conditions.

[limpetmine]

Agreed, the deal / steal of a lifetime, esp. when it's advertised as a mixmaster British Enfield! I've seen a dozen or so of the Mk II's; mine is a 1963 model with 1959 and 1960 parts on it, also via the sub contenent. The wood on it is black as coal.
Thanks for the nice comments; it is pretty looking wood, I must say. I'll have to keep it near the top of the pile
What is the best way (easiest?) to measure the bore? Slugging with pure lead? I'll confess, I've never done this.....

Those POF No4 Mk1 rifles are the steal of this millennium. We didn't get many up here in Canada. Not that I've seen anyway. Most of the rifles we see here are Indian purchases from England, USA or Canada. They can be real mixmasters or as new, depending on the luck of the draw.
POF No4 MkII rifles are more common. They are the next steal of the millennium. They come in fantastic circasian walnut and again, some are all matching and as new, with only a few handling marks. Mine was built in 1959.
One thing is common amongst the MkIIs though. They have tight bores. I've had the opportunity to measure half a dozen and they have bores that measure from .309 to .311, with 3 of them at .310. They are very accurate as well as all I've seen have excellent bores.

My question for limpetmine is, what does your bore measure to?

Nice looking rifle by the way. Lee Enfields are in a class of their own and are probably one of the finest bolt action battle rifles ever built. I know that's sacrilege to mauser and springfield afficienados and I own those as well but the Lee Enfields will do everything and then some that the others will do under all conditions.

[Hrafknel]

My No. 4Mk 2 was dated 1958. I thought it had been stored for years for the front of the bolt was unmarked. After firing it, I measured the #3 bolt head and decided that the number 3 on the bolt head was before they polished it down to a small #0 size. Live and go out and buy a maximum headspace gauge.

[bearhunter]

Lube the last inch of the muzzle well, take a lead bullet and push/tap with small hammer, about a quarter inch down into the muzzle. It will extract easily with your fingers. Measure accross the lands.