+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Longbranch rebuild

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member A. Quatermain's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Last On
    10-20-2022 @ 04:19 PM
    Location
    Georgia, US
    Posts
    10
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:23 PM

    Longbranch rebuild

    Not sure if this is where this should go. If not, feel free to move it.

    I recently acquired a bubbatized longbranch No.4 MkI*. The forend was cut down, and the barrel was cut back to the front sight base. That being the case, I thought it would be a good candidate for a sniper build with a new criterion barrel.

    I was able to get some NOS South African wood to replace the butchered forend. Regarding that, I have a few questions for the members here.

    Do I need to soak it in RLO? I want to stain it like walnut. Should I do that before or after the oil?

    Also, since there isn't so much concern for absolute correctness, are there any accurizing techniques you recommend? I've heard that some get good results by bedding in a contact point at the lower band.
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Legacy Member Sunray's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    03-29-2021 @ 03:01 PM
    Location
    London, Ontario
    Posts
    1,053
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:23 PM
    It's going to be a Bubba'd rifle anyway so what you use as a wood finish won't matter. I'd suggest Pure Tung Oil instead of RLO or BLOicon. When properly rubbed in(one coat per day with 24 hours drying time between coats using a new lint free cloth every day.), it gives a hard, shiney(more of a sheen), waterproof finish that keeps everything else out.
    Any stain must go on before any oil, but especially Pure Tung Oil.
    Make sure your smithy knows what he's doing when he installs the barrel. If he doesn't have the right tools, as in barrel vise and action wrench, it's easy to twist an Enfield receiver. And proper head space gauges can be rented for cheap. Don't let him buy 'em as you'll pay for 'em but won't get to keep 'em.
    Spelling and Grammar count!

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Legacy Member AFJon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Last On
    08-08-2024 @ 11:23 PM
    Location
    Colorado Springs
    Posts
    352
    Real Name
    Jon Dix
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    05:23 PM
    Since you are in Georgia contact Brian Dickicon here on the forum. He's in South Carolina and does work on the Enfields.

    Contact BDL LTD
    Former Prairie Submarine Commander
    "To Err is Human, To Forgive is Divine. Neither of Which is SAC Policy."

  6. #4
    Legacy Member A. Quatermain's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Last On
    10-20-2022 @ 04:19 PM
    Location
    Georgia, US
    Posts
    10
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:23 PM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by Sunray View Post
    It's going to be a Bubba'd rifle anyway so what you use as a wood finish won't matter. I'd suggest Pure Tung Oil instead of RLO or BLOicon. When properly rubbed in(one coat per day with 24 hours drying time between coats using a new lint free cloth every day.), it gives a hard, shiney(more of a sheen), waterproof finish that keeps everything else out.
    Any stain must go on before any oil, but especially Pure Tung Oil.
    Make sure your smithy knows what he's doing when he installs the barrel. If he doesn't have the right tools, as in barrel vise and action wrench, it's easy to twist an Enfield receiver. And proper head space gauges can be rented for cheap. Don't let him buy 'em as you'll pay for 'em but won't get to keep 'em.
    It will never be original, but I at least want it to pass the rack test.

  7. #5
    Legacy Member A. Quatermain's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Last On
    10-20-2022 @ 04:19 PM
    Location
    Georgia, US
    Posts
    10
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:23 PM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by AFJon View Post
    Since you are in Georgia contact Brian Dickicon here on the forum. He's in South Carolina and does work on the Enfields.

    Contact BDL LTD
    Already called himm.He said he doesn't install the Criterion barrels, only originals.

  8. #6
    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last On
    10-26-2024 @ 06:30 AM
    Location
    The wild west of England
    Posts
    3,422
    Real Name
    Mr Clark
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:23 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by A. Quatermain View Post
    It will never be original, but I at least want it to pass the rack test.
    Alternatively, prepare the wood, colour with the stain of your choice (I use Liberon spirit based), then use raw linseed oilicon, applied for a week.

    I keep the woodwork in a large plastic bag, keep applying every day, a week will do the trick ...

    Wipe off the excess and watch the woodwork darken a bit more every day as it penetrates and oxidation gets underway.

    Buff up the wood with a cloth and you get a lovely deep semi Matt finish that only gets better with age.

    The choice is yours, many different ways..

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. No.2 MkI** rebuild?
    By b32dominator in forum Other Military Service Pistols and Revolvers
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-07-2017, 04:34 PM
  2. M1 So you have a rebuild ?
    By imntxs554 in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 56
    Last Post: 10-28-2014, 10:34 PM
  3. My AKM rebuild
    By Bill Hollinger in forum Soviet Bloc Rifles
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 05-31-2013, 08:12 AM
  4. No4 T Rebuild
    By PScott in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 12-04-2012, 05:44 PM
  5. No4 Mk1 T Rebuild
    By tbonesmith in forum The Restorer's Corner
    Replies: 69
    Last Post: 02-25-2012, 02:28 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts