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    Restoring a Lee Enfield #4 mk 1*(T)

    I am currently restoring a Lee Enfield #4 mk1* (T)? A friend of mine gave me the Savage, 2 groove barrelled action that had the original scope pads installed on the receiver. It also had the S51 stamp on the beech/birch butt stock and the original rear, modified sight (battle sight machined off). The original front sight did not have the protective guard. I had to obtain the rest of the parts over the past year or so. I am not sure if the scope base pad work was done by Holland and Holland. The base pads are soldered on. I thought I read that the S51 stamped on the butt stock was their designation.

    My last purchase was the SARCO replica (T) scope mounts. The mount appers to fit the base pads perfectly. I installed a 1.5-6X32 Simmons Whitetail Expedition scope in the rings. It was the only 32mm objective scope that I had. The (T) scope mount limits you to a scope with a 32mm objective. When I look through the scope the crosshairs are aligned with the barrel/front sight. I have not bore sighted the rifle yet. I am also looking at a vintage Weaver 4x scope that might fit the mount.

    Just yesterday I fitted a replica cheek piece to the butt stock. The front forearm/upper wood was taken from a bubbafied, BSA #4 mk 1 that I restored with a aftermarket walnut stock. I am still looking for a beech forearm and upper wood to complete the Savage rifle.

    The action screw that I picked up from Springfield Sporters is too long and I need to shorten it, but the threads need to be extended lower on the shank of the bolt. I do not have a Withworth die to cut the threads. Any ideas where to buy/borrow the correct die?

    I am looking forward to learning more from the very knowledgable members and hope I can contribute to the forum. If anyone lives in the area and would like to talk restoring military rifles please feel free to give me a call. Thanks, Doug Rosso (dcrosso01@q.com) 509-276-2836 Thanks
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    Last edited by D. C. Rosso; 12-12-2011 at 05:08 PM.

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    Welcome to the forum...and ... you have come to the right place, there's some excellent tech references here plus fine tech minds too.

    re this part ...

    The action screw that I picked up from Springfield Sporters is too long and I need to shorten it, but the threads need to be extended lower on the shank of the bolt. I do not have a Withworth die to cut the threads. Any ideas where to buy/borrow the correct die?

    are you meaning the main screw at the front of the trigger guard? There should never be a reason this would need more threads, however, if it doesn't have a lock washer, you can install one. Its an uncommon size and you might need to reduce the OD a bit.

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    Doug,
    If your friend gave the rifle to you then you surely did ok! I'm assuming if it's a Mk1* T it will have a serial number in the 11 to 15C range? I have seen & owned a few rifles that retained their original 2 groove barrels.......something else that shouldn't have happened but occasionally did. The wood was usually stained birch....it tends to have a characteristically 'orangey' hue to it.
    Did you mean that you bought one of the triangular swivel screws to replace the standard front triggerguard ('king') screw? If that is the case & it is too long, you were probably sold a commercial variant. Parker Hale made a lot for target rifles & the shank is longer than on the military variants so that the swivel clears the wire loop on the front of the triggerguard.

    Any chance of some pictures of the old girl?

    ATB

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    Thread Starter
    RJW NZicon and Roger Payneicon, thanks for the replies.

    After I posted about my #4 mk 1*(T) I contacted Russel Rogers at Springfield Sporters about the front guard screw. When I originally ordered the trigger guard/screw from SS I was not aware that I would need a locking washer. The Lee Enfield #4 mk1 schematic I looked at on the Gun Parts America (Numrich Arms) websight did not show a washer. When I talked to Russel he informed me the lack of the locking washer would cause the guard screw to bottom out without sufficiently tightening the action to the stock. Which is exactly what is happening to my rifle.

    SS sells the proper locking washers for $1. After the first of the year I will order the lock washer, a beech forearm, rear upper guard and front guard to complete the rifle. I already have all the other metal stock parts to finish the rifle.

    The first four of my serial number is 15C6XXX. Is that the right serial number range to be a (T) rifle? I cannot find any other markings other then the serial number. A large squarish S (Savage) stamped under the serial number and 1942. The word ENGLAND is stamped on the left of top center, receiver ring. I recall reading that indicates the rifle was re-imported from ENGLAND back to the USAicon. Is that correct? The "U S PROPERTY" stamp is mostly covered by the front scope pad. You can only see "TY" of the stamp.

    While the barel is only a two groove, it is in what appears to be pristine condition, with a sharp crown. I have hopes for great accuracy. Years ago I had a 1903 A3 Springfield with a two groove barrel and it shot just as well as the four groove Springfields I had. I sold off my Springfields some time ago, but I still have a brand new two groove, 1944 marked 1903 A3 barrel.

    About ten years ago I got the urge to purchase the most modern sniper rifle I could afford. I ended up selling most of my US military rifles to fund the buy. I kept my four M1 Garands and my BM 59 and bought a SAKO TRG22 in 308 (a wonderful, well thought out weapon) with a Schmidt and Bender PMII 10X mill dot scope. If I do my part it will shoot five shots in the 1/4 inch at 100 yards very consistantly. While I like the SAKO I missed my bolt action, vintage military rifles.

    Several years later I got the chance to buy three, Lee Enfield, #4mk2, Irish Contract rifles for approx. $200 each. Two of the rifles are in the cosmolineicon with bayonets. One had been cleaned of the cosmoline and did not have the bayonet. I have since purchase a BSA #4mk1 (that I restored), a Longbranch that had been sporterized (my next project) and the Savage that I am working on.

    I recently purchased a digital camera, but I am not computer literate and I will need to update my skills before posting any pictures.

    Thanks for all your help and I look forward to hearing from all of you. Doug Rosso
    Last edited by D. C. Rosso; 12-15-2011 at 09:23 PM.

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    1/4" x 26 tpi BSF is what you want

    Quote Originally Posted by D. C. Rosso View Post
    I do not have a Withworth die to cut the threads. Any ideas where to buy/borrow the correct die?

    The trigger guard screws on a No. 4 Mk 1 and 2 (and a No. 5) have a (now obsolete in industry) standard 1/4" x 26 tpi BSF thread of Whitworth form.
    There will no doubt be professional tool suppliers in NZicon who can get you one. For a price!

    I suggest you contact a model engineering club, where you will have the best chance of borrowing one, or even buying one if someone has a spare.


    Patrick

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    Try customscrewsandmore.com Evans Custom Screw and Machine. They advertise custom screws for Enfields.



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