Is my No 5 original?

[Mishman732]

Hey guys. I bought a No5 that I discovered in the used rack at my local GS, and it appears to be in mint condition. It has all matching sn, even the stock. The paint on it looks like new w/ a few chips here and there. My question is do you think that is is original or refinished? also is there anything that I should treat the stock with to keep it from drying out / cracking when I shoot it. Thanks for any info.

This is my first historical piece, now I'm looking for an M1

Information

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[Thunderbox]

The electro-pencil markings look fairly pristine, which is usually an indication that the rifle is in original mint condition.

Boiled linseed oil is the usual wood treatment, but no need to panic about it - these rifles were stocked up in kiln-dryed wood, of types (walnut, beech) that remain hard and stable over decades.

[DocLee]

Mishman 732, your rifle looks original enough, and seems to be the real thing.
It seems to have been refurbished or possibly un-issued.
My own No.5 Mk.1 saw a lot of abuse with some repairs on the butt and some pitting on the flash hider and the action. The serial number (a low serial) is on all parts accept on the magazine.
The rifle possibly saw service during the Malayan insurection.

[Mishman732]

It is stamped England. I believe that was done when it was imported to the US. Does that mean it was un-issued? Thanks again guys.

[Peter Laidler]

As I understand it from previous threads, the US local gun stores are notorious for just giving you a Lee Enfield bolt when you buy a Lee Enfield Rifle. It'll pay you to look at the rear of the bolt lever and make sure that the number there is the same as that on the rifle body.

But just looking at the photos, your rifle looks like it hasn't had a hard life at all. Not like some of the old well-worn and used stuff that we had in 60's Malaya. But as Thunderbox says, just linseed oil the wood and it should out last you. But, if I might be so bold, might I suggest that just in case it has been out in the tropics, make sure that you have a look under the fore-end and handguard (....careful how you remove the forend please.....) and grease it up like it should be. While you've got the fore-end and handguard off, you might like to remove the varnish. Wood likes to breathe.

Nice find

[Mishman732]

Peter,
I have broken it down completely, and all sn match. I would like to remove the varnish and grease it like you say. Could you recommend on how I do both?

[drweiler]

Nice find Mishman, an early import. Your description suggests it was imported before 1968, when only country of origin (ENGLAND) was required by the U.S. for importation as per the 1930 Tariff Act. The knee jerk Gun Control Act of 1968 banned importation of military surplus arms, until more reasonable legislation in 1986 allowed importation to resume, but NOW requiring the importer's name be applied. My 'ENGLAND' is stamped on the left wrist of my 1945 Faz. Also, before your No.5 was released from the military to the civilian market it had to be proofed in Birmingham, adding the 'BNP/tons' proof stamp. I found mine top of barrel just to rear of front sight. Sometimes they're more discreetly stamped under the hand guard. Where are your stamps? Cheers, Don

[Peter Laidler]

You could remove the varnish with a chemical but I don't know what sort of varnish it is. Laquer based, french polish type, polyurethane etc etc and I'm loath to suggest what we as armourers would do because (and I don't mean to sound unkind here.......) but we'd scrape it down and refinish making sure that we left all the edges intact and barely touched the wood in doing so.

Asa for the grease you use, well we used an XG279 grease that was the Armourers waterproof maid of all work - but there will be a US grease with similar properties that is readily available. Can anyone out there in the US suggest the same?

[Mishman732]

Here are some proof pics. I didn't have time this morning to look under the stock.

[drweiler]

Yes, those are the expected stamps. Looks like you have a '0' bolt head, they came in 4 sizes '0' thru '3'. I think most shooters are happy to see a '0' on a new rifle-- as rifle wears you can increase size to maintain proper headspace. New rifles, however, don't always come with a '0', I have a new-in-wrap No.4 with a '2'. A search of this forum will find more specific info on bolt heads etc.