+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12

Thread: Replacement No4 forend

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 11:11 AM
    Location
    The wild west of England
    Posts
    3,401
    Real Name
    Mr Clark
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:08 PM

    Replacement No4 forend

    Hi all,

    I replaced the internally cracked forend on my 44 dated Maltby with a 1950's NOS replacement.

    All restocked and bedded correctly via Peters excellent articles on the subject, with some difficulty, due to the rather rough and vague factory cuts.

    On reassembly I came across a problem I wasn't expecting, the front forend band screw couldn't be screwed in due to the apparent difference in external dimensions between the old forend and the new one.

    It's definitely fuller in profile.

    Basically I need a new longer screw, are there longer examples available?

    I've made a temporary fix with a small threaded bar and nut cut to length.
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel
    Peter Laidler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    03-24-2024 @ 09:52 AM
    Location
    Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The home of MG Cars
    Posts
    16,507
    Real Name
    Peter Laidler
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:08 PM
    You have to shave wood from the top of the fore-end, FROM THE LOWER BAND FORWARD, equally from both sides, deepening the shave towards the muzzle. That way it lowers the front end of the top handguard and makes the upper band fit closer together. Don't overdo it..... You can also shave wood from the handguard too, taking most wood off as you get towards the muzzle end. Fitted about a million of them....

  4. The Following 3 Members Say Thank You to Peter Laidler For This Useful Post:


  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 11:11 AM
    Location
    The wild west of England
    Posts
    3,401
    Real Name
    Mr Clark
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:08 PM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks Peter, I was somewhat taken back by the rough shaping on first 'offer up', for instance, though the forend is straight, with no twist (so a good starting point) the barrel was pinching the entire length of the forend and I had to remove quite a bit of wood to allow the barrel to float down to the muzzle rest.

    I've done a few over the years, but this example is rather fuller in profile, never had that issue with front band before, I was scratching my head trying to think were I went wrong, until I retreated with a cup of tea and took comparison measurements of both forends.
    .303, helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889

  7. #4
    Advisory Panel Brian Dick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 02:10 PM
    Location
    Edgefield, SC USA
    Posts
    4,040
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    08:08 AM
    I'd bet it's a South African contract beech forend. They are very beefy but usually straight. So are the Pakistani forends and handguards which are made of Turkishicon walnut. It's absolutely lovely wood but a lot of work to fit.

  8. The Following 3 Members Say Thank You to Brian Dick For This Useful Post:


  9. #5
    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 11:11 AM
    Location
    The wild west of England
    Posts
    3,401
    Real Name
    Mr Clark
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:08 PM
    Thread Starter
    Ill check for markings Brian... I'm sure its beech.
    .303, helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889

  10. #6
    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 11:11 AM
    Location
    The wild west of England
    Posts
    3,401
    Real Name
    Mr Clark
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:08 PM
    Thread Starter
    Here's a couple of quick phone pics with the new forend fitted, colour matched and oiled, certainly looks like beech to me
    .303, helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889

  11. #7
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    05:08 AM
    The fish scales sure look like Beech to me also. Nice color job, for sure.
    Regards, Jim

  12. Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  13. #8
    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 11:11 AM
    Location
    The wild west of England
    Posts
    3,401
    Real Name
    Mr Clark
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:08 PM
    Thread Starter
    Cheers Jim, just have to implement Peters suggested fix for the front band issue and get her onto the range for zeroing.

  14. Thank You to mrclark303 For This Useful Post:


  15. #9
    Legacy Member Alan de Enfield's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Last On
    Today @ 07:06 AM
    Location
    Y Felinheli, Gogledd Cymru
    Posts
    2,526
    Real Name
    Alan De Enfield
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:08 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by mrclark303 View Post
    Cheers Jim, just have to implement Peters suggested fix for the front band issue and get her onto the range for zeroing.
    I have several complete sets on No4 woodwork (including the metal work).They are pretty much colour matched sets and all have the "L" length butt (to suit the 'modern man')

    Happy to do a deal if interested (It looks like you'll find more use for them than I will.
    Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...

  16. #10
    Legacy Member Daan Kemp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last On
    Today @ 12:12 AM
    Location
    Centurion RSA
    Age
    73
    Posts
    1,392
    Real Name
    Daan Kemp
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:08 PM
    The L butt seems to fit the short modern man only, they are usually about two finger widths too short for the average to tall modern man.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. EFD No1 Mk I*** forend
    By Smellymarkfive in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 05-13-2015, 05:54 AM
  2. No5 forend Cut down from No4
    By tbonesmith in forum The Restorer's Corner
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 11-19-2012, 04:22 AM
  3. Mk.II Forend cap
    By Terrylee in forum The Ross Rifle Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-05-2011, 09:34 PM
  4. No.1 Mk.3 forend
    By enfieldman in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-13-2010, 02:30 PM
  5. No.4 Mk1 vs No.4 Mk 2 forend.
    By newcastle in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 07-17-2010, 05:08 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks