No 4 Mk 1 markings confusion

[Alan de Enfield]

I’m trying to find a gunsmith that can give it a look and be able to check the headspace. If this thing turns out to be a turd, my wife will never let me live it down. I’ll try to get a decent picture of the barrel and post it tomorrow. Assuming headspace is good, would the worn out barrel be dangerous or just inaccurate? Any recommendations for a smith near Pensacola FL or Troy/Montgomery AL?

Brian (Brian Dick BDL ltd) is one of the most experienced Enfield gunsmiths in the US and he already has experience of these rifles and has all the testing equipment and gauges to check it over.
His post #17 shows what you might expect.

You can contact him here :

Contact BDL LTD

[jasonafair]

Thank you Brian and Alan for the help. Yep, looks like I got screwed. I dropped a round into the crown and it went about a 1/3rd down so I had a glimmer of hope, until the breech....maybe a 1/16th between face and cartridge rim. If it’s ok Brian, I’ll PM you my number and you can reach out to me at your convenience to talk about what is possible to do. I will contact Classic tomorrow and see what they say as these things are being advertised as “functional”. Not holding high hopes for a positive outcome but you never know.
Now just to keep all of this fiasco from the boss lady...

[Surpmil]

I’m trying to find a gunsmith that can give it a look and be able to check the headspace. If this thing turns out to be a turd, my wife will never let me live it down. I’ll try to get a decent picture of the barrel and post it tomorrow. Assuming headspace is good, would the worn out barrel be dangerous or just inaccurate? Any recommendations for a smith near Pensacola FL or Troy/Montgomery AL?

Her name's not Miranda is it?

You could always say your counsel has advised you to take the 5th...

As we age in marriage - them that stay there - I hear that one of the lessons we learn is that "what is said in haste may be regretted at leisure", except there seems to be very little leisure in it at the time!

A good many women like to pretend their husbands are fools - in all except their choice of spouse of course - so why help make their case?

Fantastic bargain you got on that Lee Enfield, you can tell her I said so...or have you taught her the fine points of examining rifle bores?

If so, go and cut your switch now and let's hear no more about it!

Okay, that's enough ribbing, a fella never knows when he may need a spare.

---------- Post added at 06:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:52 PM ----------

Never yet found the specific dimensions.
Every document (ancient & modern) simply says there is a 3-thou incremental increase in sizes

Example :-

Instructions To Armourers Rifle No4

Pleasantly vague isn't it? So where things start and stop is left up to the makers, so long as they have the right degree of increase in the sizes.

Owing to the fact that the highest quality steel is not available for these rifles, when firing, a burr is often set up on the resistance shoulder of the body. These should be watched for and removed.

Interesting comment.

[Brian Dick]

Call me in the shop tomorrow during business hours. 803-637-5784. I have a few take-off barrels that may be an improvement if necessary and get your rifle running again. They may not be that pretty but gauge up in spec.. I’ve yet to see a matching bolt but I’ve been able to set them up successfully so far swapping out bolt heads from my small supply.

Brian

[jasonafair]

After 26 years, I guess she is entitled to a good “told you so” every now and then 🤫
I’ll call before noon tomorrow. My vocal chords are still jacked up from throat cancer surgery this summer so I may sound like I swallowed a frog that had a cold 😎

[jasonafair]

Here are a few more that hopefully shed a little more light on the condition. I couldn't manage to get a good shot of the rifling but to me it looks strong and is 2 groove. A little dark but I'm going to hit it with some of the copper cleaner this weekend. Only done H's #9 so far.
A video I was watching last night said that from the chamber there should be 1/4" gap between the rim and face. That just seems like way too much to me but, it is on the internet so it has to be true. The last photo is just the the parts while cleaning them. Honestly I think it is in fairly good shape, just concerned about the barrel now...
Thanks again all for the expertise and advise. This is an awesome group!

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[Surpmil]

They did like sanding the wood down.

[browningautorifle]

Kind of hard to say exactly when that various degrading of the wood took place though. Sure was lots.