SMLE Mark IV Number 1 Stock Refinishing Questions?
I am in the process of restoring 2 SMLE Mark IV Number 1 rifles. These 2 currently are ones that had been "sporterized" back in the late 50's or early 60's with about 6" taken off the front of the barrel and have no top hand guard. I believe that I purchased all the necessary wood and hardware, including 2 used full-length barrels, from Gunparts.com.
My questions right now is about the stock. 1st Question - We're the stocks sanded smooth or not? If not - can you recommend a grit size? 2nd Question - Were the stocks stained, natural with a varnish coat or just sealed with lindseed oil? 3rd - We're the front nose caps painted black or were they blued?
As always any constructive feedback will be appreciated!
Regards,
Mike
My questions right now is about the stock. 1st Question - We're the stocks sanded smooth or not? If not - can you recommend a grit size? 2nd Question - Were the stocks stained, natural with a varnish coat or just sealed with lindseed oil? 3rd - We're the front nose caps painted black or were they blued?
As always any constructive feedback will be appreciated!
Regards,
Mike
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enfield
About 100 grit paper and boiled linseed oil. "Blued" like the rest of the metal. This is what I would do, perhaps not historically accurate. Volley sights are fun.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=54&cad=rja&ved=0CEUQFjADODI&url=http://waltermittyhunt.com/walter-mitty-specials/trevor-montgomery-pearce/3b-rifle-short-magazine-lee-enfield-smle-great-britain.pdf&ei=wqzLUt2jHIjkoATB-4HoBg&usg=AFQjCNEOfHnJYwyqAyJMJiK4vmp45CD17A&sig2=HQFgCF1lhYuq63hs4eUwHQ0 -
I'll go along with Charlie about the stock finish and blued part but "Volley sights are fun."......the #4 mk1 never had 'volly' sights, they were a product of ww1 and the #4 mk1 was a ww2 rifle.
"Added: I think the No.4 Mk.1 did have volley sights. It was the No.4 Mk1* when they were removed (again) from the Enfield rifles."..............None that I've seen, some had the '2 speed' flip sight and some had the adjustable sight. The 'volley' sights mount on the side of the stock and adjust to 2000 yards +.0 -
quote:Originally posted by MIKE WISKEY
I'll go along with Charlie about the stock finish and blued part but "Volley sights are fun."......the #4 mk1 never had 'volly' sights, they were a product of ww1 and the #4 mk1 was a ww2 rifle.
But, the No. 1 Mk IV was a WWI rifle and did have volley sights. I know, he gave the MK before the No.
Added: I think the No.4 Mk.1 did have volley sights. It was the No.4 Mk1* when they were removed (again) from the Enfield rifles.
Mike,
There is more than one kind of volley sight. The kind you describe on the side was definitely not on the No.4 Mk1. The kind I've seen on them is the flip up sight centered over the rear ring and goes to 2000 yds. The No.4 Mk.1* had the 2 speed flip.
And FWIW, the No1. Mk IV had a tangent leaf sight on the barrel that went to 2000 as well.
All volley sights except the No. 4 Mk.1*0 -
Charlie - Thanks, again. It's going to make the job a bit easier!
quote:Originally posted by charliemeyer007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enfield
About 100 grit paper and boiled linseed oil. "Blued" like the rest of the metal. This is what I would do, perhaps not historically accurate. Volley sights are fun.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=54&cad=rja&ved=0CEUQFjADODI&url=http://waltermittyhunt.com/walter-mitty-specials/trevor-montgomery-pearce/3b-rifle-short-magazine-lee-enfield-smle-great-britain.pdf&ei=wqzLUt2jHIjkoATB-4HoBg&usg=AFQjCNEOfHnJYwyqAyJMJiK4vmp45CD17A&sig2=HQFgCF1lhYuq63hs4eUwHQ0 -
You are welcome. Back in the early 70's Dad acquired SMLE bubba special for $5 at the local show. We worked it over some. It just happened a neighbor had almost 600 Norma match 216 gr 303 bullets. I got them for like a cent each. I got tired of shooting that rifle as a single shot so I bought a magazine at the next show for like $10, dad was mad at me for wasting money.
After the good bullets were gone (by they way I tried to bump some them out 8mm and down to .308 unsuccessfully. I started casting bullets for it. The Lyman 189 gr 30-40 bullet as cast and hand lubed did ok. The next year I made my own black powder for it and re-loaded the primers (high school chemistry was better in those days). Anyway that truly home made ammo had enough to shoot through a 55 Desoto fender and crack the cast iron block. 22 CCI LR would only stretch the fender metal a little. The volley sights were what got me started at shooting long distance at the tank ranges at the local ANG training area.
There was another pdf about on page 6 of the google search smle no.1 mk IV that seemed to have about 26 pages of just data0 -
Charlie - Thanks again! Very interesting story that you have there.
quote:Originally posted by charliemeyer007
You are welcome. Back in the early 70's Dad acquired SMLE bubba special for $5 at the local show. We worked it over some. It just happened a neighbor had almost 600 Norma match 216 gr 303 bullets. I got them for like a cent each. I got tired of shooting that rifle as a single shot so I bought a magazine at the next show for like $10, dad was mad at me for wasting money.
After the good bullets were gone (by they way I tried to bump some them out 8mm and down to .308 unsuccessfully. I started casting bullets for it. The Lyman 189 gr 30-40 bullet as cast and hand lubed did ok. The next year I made my own black powder for it and re-loaded the primers (high school chemistry was better in those days). Anyway that truly home made ammo had enough to shoot through a 55 Desoto fender and crack the cast iron block. 22 CCI LR would only stretch the fender metal a little. The volley sights were what got me started at shooting long distance at the tank ranges at the local ANG training area.
There was another pdf about on page 6 of the google search smle no.1 mk IV that seemed to have about 26 pages of just data0
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