Savage Lee Enfield No4Mk1* birch stock

[beyu]

Does anyone know what companies made the birch stocks for the Savage and Stevens Lee Enfield No4 Mk1* rifles?

By the serial number, I know mine was made in Oct or Nov 1943.

Sprague and Carleton, a furniture manufacturer in Keene, NH made birch stocks for M1 Carbines. Because of its close proximity to Chicopee Falls, Ma, I wonder if they also had the contract with Savage.

"Inquiring minds want to know..."

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[Surpmil]

Don't know but an interesting question. Always assumed Savage made their own as they presumably made the stocks for their rifles in peacetime? That said, they may have contracted out a lot of the No.4 parts as well, I don't know. At the bottom of this page is a list that shows many different manufacturers making M1 carbine stocks in that area, perhaps some of them were also making No.4 furniture. The U.S. Caliber .30 Carbine Stocks & Handguards

[beyu]

Thanks for the quick answer.

I had not thought of the possibility that Savage might have made their own stocks.

It makes quite a lot of sense — but if they were making several different firearms, even in peacetime, they still may have found it necessary to contract out for at least some of the rifles.

I may try contacting Savage Arms to see if they can tell me anything.

I had a short email conversation with Brian Dick, who said he thought they had lost their records in a flood, so I may have hit a dead end.

[Peter Laidler]

Er........... why not just ask Sprague and Carelton? Ir research their wartime history locally

[beyu]

Er........... why not just ask Sprague and Carelton? Ir research their wartime history locally

Unhappily, I cannot. They went out of business in the 1980s or 90s.

Thanks for the suggestion, though.

I just called Savage Arms and found out they do have a historical department. They ask for a letter including info and serial number of the firearm.

I'll give it a try...

[Mk VII]

I have come across a proposal to contract with Wood Mosiac Inc. of Louisville, KY for Sht L-E and No.4 furniture and Bren gun butts. Wood Mosiac was the preferred supplier. 50% of contract was to be sub-let.

1,512,000 sets of rifle furniture. Other contractors are:-

Penrod Jurden Clark Co, Kansas City, MO
Frank Purcell Walnut Lumber Co, Kansas City, KS
Amos Thompson Corporation, Edinburgh, IN
Mid-West Walnut Lumber Co., Council Bluffs IA


Addnl: The Louisville Encyclopaedia contains an article on Wood Mosaic (which closed in 1985) and mentions them making gun stocks for Britain.

[beyu]

Thanks, Mk VII.

I knew this is the right forum to go to!

So can we say that there is a 50% probability that Wood Mosaic made the stock, and also a 50% chance it was one of the others?

Keep in mind, we are talking birch, not walnut...

[Mk VII]

The documentation I saw was only at proposal stage; there may be more definite information in other files or the contract records.
There is a record of a large quantity lost on board a ship that was sunk. No detail about makers or wood type though.

[aspen80]

I believe this is where I got the rear hand guard for my #4 MK 1
Forget about the E Bay ad, I'm referring to the seller, in England. Very reasonable

ol miner

---------- Post added at 01:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 PM ----------

Lee Enfield No4 MK1 Wood Set Grooved Handguard Type | eBay Try this outfit I did for my mk4 and everything worked out fine

[beyu]

I believe this is where I got the rear hand guard for my #4 MK 1
Forget about the E Bay ad, I'm referring to the seller, in England. Very reasonable

ol miner

---------- Post added at 01:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 PM ----------

Lee Enfield No4 MK1 Wood Set Grooved Handguard Type | eBay Try this outfit I did for my mk4 and everything worked out fine

Thanks, but I'm not looking to buy a replacement.

My question is just for the history of the rifle. All the wood on my rifle is fine.