Fitting a fore-end to a no.4 MK2

[rickw55]

I recently got a Lee-Enfield no 4 MK 2 Long Branch.At least,I got most of the parts for it!
It's been "sporterized", with the barrel cut down to 20" long, and it has a plastic butt stock.It's missing the trigger, trigger-guard, and several other parts.
I located a military stock for it. The walnut butt stock fits fine, but the cut-down fore-end is for a no 4 MK 1, with the trigger attached to the trigger guard. On my rifle, the trigger is attached to the receiver, and the fore-end won't fit.
What is involved in fitting that fore-end to my rifle? Has anyone done it, and what is involved in doing it? I'm an experienced wood worker, so I can handle the actual work. I just need to know how to do it.
Thanks,
Rick W

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

ou will not have a Mk2 Long Branch. It is another variant but not a Mk2 which is important to your question.

You have to convert your Mk1 fore-end to Mk2 configuration. The best thing to suggest is that you look at a Mk2 type fore-end and copy that.

To be honest, I don't really understand the question in para 2. Is the military fore-end you have located the cut down one or what......... Anyway, the copy the Mk2 fore-end is the answer but I don't know how you'll fit it with a 20" barrel unless that indicates that the barrel is cut shyort just ahead of the foresight block band

[ssj]

I doubt very much it is economical for you to do, for a std gun. Barrel and forend woods are not common and hence hard to get nor cheap.

LongBranch guns were only ever No4 mk1* with a few early mk1.

maybe it is actually a no4 mk1/3? which is rarer.

Can you post some screenshots? especially left side of receiver where it says LongBranch , wrist stampings with its number eg nnLxxxx, bolt stamping/numbers should match the nnLxxxx on the receiver.

[rickw55]

Thank you both for your replies.
I am VERY new to the world of Enfields, so I reallly don't know the proper terminology.
Mr. Laidler: The fore-stock I had was one that I thought was a cut-down fore-stock from a no.4 MK1. After looking at it some more, I realized that it actually was the fore-stock to a no.5 Jungle Carbine! Needless to say, I'm not going to do anything to it!
I had advertised for a stock on a local shooter's forum. A very kind gentleman in another town said he had a stock I might be able to use, and mailed it to me at his expense. When I got it, I looked it over, and after some on-line research, decided it was actually a Jungle Carbine stock. I informed him of this, and am going to return the stock to him.
ssj: Here are some photos of the receiver and barrel. The bolt is present, and matches the serial number of the receiver.




Perhaps I should have started at the beginning: What is this rifle, and what should I do with it?
Thanks,
Rick W

[browningautorifle]

maybe it is actually a no4 mk1/3? which is rarer.

And there we have it...a Mk 1/3...

[Peter Laidler]

Not only is is a Mk1/3, but it's a totally knackered Mk1/3. The bolt head guide ribs are totally ripped away forward and rear wards of the slot. Beyond repair in my opinion and ZF.

We used to repair them with welding and I have detailed the epair method here some time ago. BUT only if they were chomped away at the corners or maybe a tad more, but that is the worst one I have ever seen.

Fit only for scrap

[browningautorifle]

Didn't look at the bolt track...yes it is kind of hammered...

[rickw55]

Well, that's a real disappointment! I had hoped to put this rifle back together and shoot it.Would the rifle be unsafe, or is it a cosmetic issue?
Pardon my ignorance, but what are the bolt head guide ribs? Does anyone have a picture of what they SHOULD look like?
Thanks for the information,even though it's not what I was hoping for!
RickW

[browningautorifle]

If you look through the pics on here, you'll find Long Branch receivers in various poses and can gather what the guide rib should look like. It's supposed to be square and just big enough for the bolt head to fit down in.

[Peter Laidler]

I don't suppose it would be unsafe as such but it's a tad more that cosmetic. The bolt head tripping out of the track on its way forward will damage the track and breech opening even more and rearwards, well......., it's already totally knackered*

*Knackered. A particularly British Army/REME phrase, used on the workshop floor to indicate that the item is shagged - or more politely, has seen better days