New to Enfields and site, looking for info...

[Catch22]

I just bought my first Enfield, and actually my first milsurp. I've been perusing this forum for a while and have been impressed with the knowledge. Thought I'd see if you guys might be able to help me fill in some holes on this gun, and maybe even get a bit of advise along the way.

Reciever has engraved (not stamped, looks like one of those vibrating engravers) No. 4 Mk. I ROF (F) 10/43. SN is hard to read (not stamped very deep), but looks like JA224?? (can't make out last two digits). From what I've managed to find on my own research, it's a Fazakerley produced unit from October of '43?

I need to do some cleaning (someone put it up without cleaning after shooting it last), but the bore looks good. Looks like the two-groove barrel I've read about.

What's troubling me is the stock. It looks like it's been refinished compared to others I've seen and the presence of what looks like some dark, reddish stain in the grain. I'm already kicking around potentially refinishing, but I plan on doing some more research on it. If I do, I'm leaning more toward a Tru-Oil finish rather than BLO, but don't want to kill any potential value.

With any luck at all, the pics will post correctly... Thank in advance!

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Immediately, there's something not quite right about this rifle. For some reason best known to whoever did it, the rivet holding the strap at the rear of the fore-end has been removed in the past and replaced by a nut and long bolt. That hideous varnish finish just looks to me like - and I might be wrong of course - that moisture has got underneath it and 'clouded' the appearance so that it looks cloudy white. But you can still see traces of the original brown leeching through.

But apart from that, looks just like another Fazakerley made No4 rifle

[Mikesm44]

I'd say since someone fooled with the stock already you should just redo it and make it look nice. In my opinion those grooved stocks are the nicest looking. Good catch. Find out how she shoots. Could be an even better catch.

[WarPig1976]

Sorry,,,That is the ugliest stock I've ever seen!! Please, please, don't make it worse and smear Bubba goo on it...Please..

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I like blondes but this one is an Albino. Denatured Alcohol ,steel wool & lindseed oil would go a long way towards making he look as she should. As Mr. Laidler said take a close look at that hardware store screw.
Welcome to the wonderful word of Enfields.

[Aragorn243]

That reddish stain is what it is supposed to look like. That has been bleached to death. Get that varnish off and linseed oil it. That may help pull out the color but if it doesn't, you may need to add some stain to it.

[Catch22]

I figured something was off with that stock. I've refinished some sporting rifle stocks, but never a milsurp, so I'm not sure how to go about doing it. The sporting rifle's I've opted to go with Tru-oil and have had really good luck with it, taking my time and rubbing it in good each coat. If that's what's being referred to as "bubba goo" or if it's not the way to go, I just want to make sure.

I've never messed with BLO, other than applying it on our axes at the fire department. I assume it's similar? Sand/smooth it down a bit, rub in the BLO and let dry.

What did they use as stains? I've become more of a fan of the blonde stocks as I've worked on other guns, but want to try to keep it true to it's origins.

Is there a way to replace that rivet? I'm assuming it's going to be a hard thing to do, considering it's a rivet, but would assume there's some sort of replacement process out there.

[Bindi2]

Dont use sand paper to remove varnish. Coat with BLO, rub in if you want a high shine or just let it soak in apply more when it will take more. Blondes darken with age and handling, stains not required.

[Ridolpho]

Catch22: regarding the rivet, you may need to get a set- both rivet and strap. The original rivets are quite thin (looking at one in my parts collection at around 0.075" or 1/16inch) and the strap may have been drilled out a bit on yours to replace the rivet with a bolt. I also don't know if having the larger hole drilled in the wood would make peening the end of the rivet more difficult (rivet free to bend). In any case you'll find new sets on e-bay. The replacement bolt may work fine so you might want to focus on the forend!

Ridolpho

[Catch22]

Dont use sand paper to remove varnish. Coat with BLO, rub in if you want a high shine or just let it soak in apply more when it will take more. Blondes darken with age and handling, stains not required.

I figured trying paint thinner or something similar to take the varnish off. As far as the left over stain, will probably try mineral spirits to try to pull it out some.

From what I've been reading in this and other forums, using sandpaper on these is taboo. I'm not a big fan of steel wool, as I've had issues with small pieces of the wool sticking, so I've switched to Scotch-Brite for other stocks I've done.

I tend to be particular at times, and want to make sure I do it right if I'm going to do it. I'm starting to get a feeling I got hung out a bit on it and paid too much ($250), but that's a moot point now and at the least I have a piece of history in my hands that should lead to some good times at the range and elsewhere.