Need some information on this rifle

[delta1]

I had this rifle given to me a few days ago, along with a box of 303 ammunition. I have removed the front wood looking for any barrel markins, there are none. The front wood has been cut off just in front of the barrel band. This band is marked with the same S or 5 as seen on the receiver. Serial number on the rifle is 55038xx although the 0 may be a C all numbers are well stamped except for the 0 or it may be a C.
Butplate looks to be made from alluminium and has the trapdoor for the cleaning tools. The sling looks to be original. Here are a few pictures. Any information will be appreciated.

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.

[newcastle]

Bubbaed Sabage No.4 with a rear sight brazed onto the barrel. probably could be refurbed to original condition as teh barrl edoesn't appear to have been shortened

[Badger]

What it should look like ...

Milsurps Knowledge Library - 1943 No.4 Mk1* Enfield Rifle (Mfg by Savage)

Regards,
Doug

[Beerhunter]

It certainly started life as a Savage production Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.1*. However it has been very heavily bubbered by having the rear sight lugs and the bridge charger guide having been ground off. The sling is contemporary with the rifle but not "original" because slings were issued separately.

Contrary to a previous post, in my opinion, not only would it be difficult to restore it but I would worry about the removal of the bridge charger guide compromising the receiver. Does anyone know if it does? Until I received an answer to this from a qualified person I would not fire that rifle.

[delta1]

In picture 2 you can see that the receiver side is flat where the stamping #s are. I tried to show this in the picture taken from the top of the action. Also the screw in the centre of that flat side seems to be original to the action. Also where the safety has been removed just to the front of that there is a slot with a threaded centre. The wood that fits the action here is cutout for the action here as though it was meant for a scope. also the front barrel band with the S on it is much wider than seen in the originals picture.
All wood patina is the same color so the cutout for the action is definatly not recent and looks to be original in nature. In the second picture you can see where the wood follows the barrel and the action

[Peter Laidler]

I agree with everything in thread 4 except that I would personally add that it's not only been bubbad (we call it butchered............) but HEAVILY butchered to beyond any value except scrap. But that's only my opinion for what it's worth

[Ridolpho]

As a partial reply to beerhunter from a non-expert, the Canadian EAL "Survival Rifle" and certain relatively high class sporters I've seen are also lacking that portion of the body. For a photo of the EAL go to Joe Salter where one is currently advertised. As Peter says, brutal job!

Ridolpho

[newcastle]

AAARGH! How the hell did I miss the charge bridge being ground off.

[stevebc]

In both pictures showing the muzzle end it looks to me that the barrel has been shortened. There should be about 1.75" from the front of the sight base to the muzzle, with the bayonet lugs in there. This rifle looks to be about .5" from the sight base to the muzzle face. If it was a No.1 it would be about that distance, but not a No.4, surely?

[Peter Laidler]

SteveBC. It COULD be that the foresight block has been moved forwards an inch or so onto the bayonet lugs to increase the sight radius. But I doubt it.