No4 mkII Questions

[Bearstopper]

My LGS has a No.4 MkII that has been sporterized by cutting the lower forestock and removing the upper stock and bands. The ears are also gone on the front sight but none of the metal is cut. What interests me about it is the fact that it has the micrometer sight intact and the metal and rear stock are in excellent codition as well as the bore. Asking price is $279.00 and I was considering an offer closer to $200 if that sounds reasonable to someone of more knowledge. I enjoy shooting a set of good irons like this and while I prefer an original gun, I would likely not worry about complete restoration instead opting to shoot it as is since not much to be gained in value after the cost of replacement parts are factored in. I see some decent deals out there on original rifles but most of the lower priced ones have the crude 300/600 battle sights which I don't want. Opinions?

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[Kiwi]

Why not buy a mk1 rear sight and put it on one of the complete rifles you have seen for sale? Will save you a restoration expense as a new old stock sight might put you back of $40, but a complete fore-end, handguards, bands, front sight base etc will put you back much more and then you have to factor in correctly stocking up the rifle to get it to shoot right. Just my 2 cents.

[Bill Hollinger]

Bearstopper, I really do wish I knew more about these Enfields. Is there any way you can post pictures of the rifle in question? If need be you can PM me and I'd be more than happy posting them for you if you don't have a host site. You can send them through an email if you PM me.

[Bill Hollinger]

Also I might suggest you post this here The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum

[Bearstopper]

Well, I got lucky and found an original No4 Mk2 prior to pulling the trigger on the one above. I don't have it in my hands yet as my brother who lives across state from me drove to inspect/purchase on my behalf and will be shipping it to me as it was a gem with the sight I wanted and for $350 dollars with a green sling and two boxes of ammo from New Zealand. Can't wait to try this bad boy out! Thanks for the help guys I do appreciate it .

[Seaspriter]

You made the right decision. There are plenty of good quality Enfields out there in the $300-365 price range that don't require extensive restoration and have plenty of life left in them for the range. These are only $50-100 more than the typical sporterized version -- a small premium to pay for the real deal.

IMHO these are the best deals of any of the WWI-WWII era -- well designed, well built, and highly accurate.

The sporterized versions are best left for hunting. All too frequently their noses and bayonet lugs are cut off, many times the charger bridges are gone too. What's left is a sad fraction of a once glorious past. Still good shooters; and a few more bangs and dings will not diminish their value. (Maybe a decade or so from now the sporterized Enfields will have appreciated so much that the sporterized versions will be worth restoring.)