Sht LE MK I*** wire wrapped info

[tatou]

Hi Guys,
I need to common knowledge of the community (or a select few)
I will be acquiring a Mk I*** with a G prefix that was wire wrapped.
I say was because someone at some point removed it and tossed it.
I wish to re wrap it the proper way.

Now i have read just about every post on a multiple forums and have looked a what ever pictures i could find so i'm well aware of the Irish connection and the G serial prefix and it's meaning. That is one of the reasons i am acquiring it.

What i do need would be the size of the wire (or gauge or diameter what ever you choose to call it. Keeping in mind that it is the metal wire version and not the later copper wire.
Also of help would be the head size of the brass screws and the size of the head of metal braquets that were used in securing it to the stock.

I read the article of Peter Laidler and saw that the copper one was .060... but couldn't find anything anywhere about the earlier version.

The screw holes and the nail holes are still on the stock so this would be relatively an easy thing to do.

If possible any owners of this version of the grenade launcher that could share a few close up pictures of the wire wrapping and how it was secured would be more than welcomed.
Thank you for any help.

[husk]

I would post pictures of my Irish I*** with steel wire for you, but I’m having trouble doing so with my Apple devices.

[tatou]

I would post pictures of my Irish I*** with steel wire for you, but I’m having trouble doing so with my Apple devices.

No worries husk. I appreciate you would be willing to help.
If you have your Mk I*** close by would you be willing to check the size of the wire, the brass head screws and also the tacks head for me ?
At least i would have those, it would help a lot.

[smle addict]

Tatou,

If you look in my pictures section, I have a wire wrapped Mk I*** posted. Not the best photos, but they may help.

I know the wire on my rifle is really thick. I am out of town right now, but will be home by the weekend. If you haven't got it figured out, I'll dig mine out of my safe. It's an excuse for me to pull everything out and spend a few hours in the garage.

[tatou]

smle addict,
Thank you that would be great if you could. If i could have like 2 or 3 different guys confirm me the measurements i would be pretty much set.
I'm not in a hurry, i dont have the rifle yet and wont have it until probably the end of august. I'm bringing it up to Canada from the US and import takes time.

I might have seen your pictures… i've spent 2 days looking at old posts trying to find pics and informations lol I'll look again to be sure.
From what i gather the wire started or ended either under a tack or around a screw with a length tuck under the wrap itself… but better pics would greatly help to confirm my suspicions.

[gsimmons]

Hope these help.

[tatou]

Hope these help.

Absolutely Thank you very much.
The shot of the middle band confirms that the front portion is a continuous wire.
On a side note i notice that your front wrapping goes back all the way over the front volley sight plate, up to the rear sight.
Interestingly it's the first i see done that way. All the others stop just before the dial sight plate.
The rifle i bought also stops just before the dial sight plate. The marks on the wood and the screw holes are clearly visible.
So it would appear that there was at least 2 wrapping methods used. I find this interesting and useful.

[RCS]

I have a Mark 1*** Enfield 1904 with the last serial number G 839 (bolt is G 837) and it came from a pawn shop in GA back in the late 70's. My friend sold it to me a few years ago, it would appear that it had been wire wrapped but converted back to a normal service rifle. You can see the wire impressions on the rear hand guard, the fore-end was replaced with a Mark 111 wood and patched, the bore is excellent and the butt stock is early with the extra holes. I am going to leave it as I found it.

[tatou]

Cool RCS.
I'm getting it's younger baby brother… G840

It is possible the wire was removed from yours to replace a broken fore-end or worn out draws. Who knows.
I understand the feeling for some (not you but some) about restoring or installing new hardware on some old rifles but i feel that since i cannot prove the wire on mine was remove in service but probably after i feel i'm not doing any more harm.
I think that if i do a nice job it should look authentic enough for me.
I'm more of a collector than a shooter too… so i can see how the wire could be troublesome for some people.

[gsimmons]

Absolutely Thank you very much.
The shot of the middle band confirms that the front portion is a continuous wire.
On a side note i notice that your front wrapping goes back all the way over the front volley sight plate, up to the rear sight.
Interestingly it's the first i see done that way. All the others stop just before the dial sight plate.
The rifle i bought also stops just before the dial sight plate. The marks on the wood and the screw holes are clearly visible.
So it would appear that there was at least 2 wrapping methods used. I find this interesting and useful.

The muzzle is up on the two band pictures.