Finished un-sporterizing a No4Mk1

[louthepou]

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd share a couple of pictures. Refurbed a No4 these past few weeks.

As with my other projects, I make good use of many very useful advices from many of you - Mr. Laidler, and the others, thanks!

Finished a refurb on a No4 Mk1 Lee Enfield - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

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[gunner]

Hi Lou,

congrats, that is an absolutely good lookin LE. The wood graining is wonderful.
Great work !

[JBS]

Looks very good. I am about to have the same ordeal with matching a rear hand guard on a restoration.

[Peter Laidler]

Couldn't you be tempted to plug the Ishy screw hole with a nice round taper oak plug? You could be really clever and turn a plug with the grain going crosswise to match the direction of the grain in the fore-end. That's JUST what I'm going to do this afternoon while patching an ex OSS Thompson butt, found in Bosnia.

Afterwards, there's the dreary prospect of range testing it................

[louthepou]

Couldn't you be tempted to plug the Ishy screw hole with a nice round taper oak plug? You could be really clever and turn a plug with the grain going crosswise to match the direction of the grain in the fore-end. That's JUST what I'm going to do this afternoon while patching an ex OSS Thompson butt, found in Bosnia.

Afterwards, there's the dreary prospect of range testing it................

Ok, I shall attempt this, I guess it's part of the prescribed learning experience

Peter, is that screw simply going to come out with a screw driver (I,ve never removed one)? What type of drill bit are you using to prepare the whole? And finally, why the "taper", and not a straight plug?

Lou

[Peter Laidler]

On OUR/UK rifles, it's a straightforward screw so presume that it'll be the same for the Indian rifles. Mmmmmm, as for what drill I'd use, well, I'd use a screw sized drill to go straight through and use a very slightly tapered plug so that you can tap it in TIGHT. That way the glue and plug will last forever. At the screw head side (left side), I'd use a wood drill to take out the hole to diameter and to a depth of about 10mm or so then insert a tight plug with the grain going with the fore-end grain. That's what I did with the Thompson butt where it'd been strengthened/butchered/Bubba'd at the attachment point.

And now there is the chore of range testing it next Tuesday. Ears peeled in the direction of Wiltshire for the roar or rattle of a Thompson gun