Hard Done-by Lee-Speed

[Roger Payne]

Agree wholeheartedly. That is some workmanship Salt Flat!

[nijalninja]

Holy smokes. Seems I picked the wrong time to go away for a few days. I guess I'll start from the top and work down.

Englishman: I'd trying to be gentle with the wood in case I can use it down the track on another rifle. I have plenty of Enfields missing wood. There was actually some wires threaded through the stock and over the rear sights for some reason. I am quite certain the barrel is Lithgow 'H' barrel from the other rifles I have with such a barrel.

Salt Flat: Yes I want to learn some wood-work for this gun and future projects, but have absolutely no experience. Do you have any tips for fixing the butt-stock? Any tips maybe for making my own fore-end even? I can hardly even see what you have done in your repairs they are so neat.

Pictures are coming tomorrow. Been busy with a No.4 today, which needs even more attention tomorrow -_-.

[Salt Flat]

Nij, It is best if you have access to a milling machine to square up the damaged area and to prepare the block used for the filler. The filler block must fit precisely into the void and the grain oriented to match the stock. (This can be done by hand -- just takes a little more time) Glue and clamp the patch. After the glue dries I use a small hand plane (very sharp) to get the contour within about 1/16 inch of the stock surface. Don't go all the way to the stock surface. Then I use a horseshoe file (kind of a hobby rasp but not too coarse ) to get closer but not touching the surrounding wood. Keep a straight edge handy and keep checking along the straight lines of the stock. Now with a rubber block and some 100 grit sandpaper you can carefully blend the patch into the surrounding wood. If done right you will barely sand into the the stock. You can finish with some 220 and stain to match the original wood. I like to just fix the area that is damaged but you can refinish the whole stock if you want. Salt Flat

[nijalninja]

Salt flat: I don't have access to a milling machine, but I'll see how I go with what tools I have. It all sounds quite interesting to me, but we'll see how we go when I get a spare moment and some chunks of wood.

Also I now have pictures of the receiver and other bits for those who were curious.

[englishman_ca]

So you have got yourself a heavy Lithgow barreled action? Lots of potential if the bore is good!

What does the marking say on top of the receiver ring?

Is that a single crossed pennant proof mark that I can see stamped on the receiver ring underneath the FOR CORDITE ONLY? Tiny crown above, V below?

[nijalninja]

I am not entirely sure. I haven't looked at it since these pictures, but I'll have a proper gander tomorrow if I get the chance.

Also the bore is alright, but not amazing. Top of the receiver ring looks like it is just two "A"s.

[browningautorifle]

Love the vise marks virtually all the way round the barrel ring...

[englishman_ca]

Ya, the receiver is the easiest part to hold in the bench vise. You can see some torque kisses on the side front trigger guard screw boss too. Crank on her hard Bubba!

I've recovered a lot worse. The marks can be cleaned up and reduced. Too bad they are right over some important stamped markings.

But one positive is that, if it was the receiver that was held still in a vise and the barrel turned out, it might have avoided being twisted and distorted to hell by a tire iron up though the body to turn it off the barrel. I can only imagine how the take off barrel looked.

[browningautorifle]

a tire iron up though the body

That's the reverse method, just grab the barrel and it just unscrews...nothing to it...

[Salt Flat]

Nij, In that first receiver photo there is a horizontal line on the receiver ring. Is that a scratch or (God forbid) a crack? It looks like a scratch but check it out carefully. Salt Flat