Thread: Lee Enfield No4

I'm looking for some expertise in the lee enfield line.
I'm wanting to buy a factory or at least matching numbered bolt,receiver, barrel for a restore back to original project.

Just looking around at the moment but does anyone have any contacts that may be able to share they knowledge on these rifles?

Cheers,

Willus

@Tertle is the man

Originally Posted by Willus

I'm looking for some expertise in the lee enfield line.
I'm wanting to buy a factory or at least matching numbered bolt,receiver, barrel for a restore back to original project.

Just looking around at the moment but does anyone have any contacts that may be able to share they knowledge on these rifles?

Cheers,

Willus

Do you have a preference as to which particular one you want?

I'm completely new to these rifles, i remember handling one when i was young but other than that i don't know what to look or ask for.
basically after the does and dont's at this stage.

I've checked your site out and its helped and will be doing more research tonight.

Start by telling yourself you are getting an example of the most successul main battle rifle ever produced and go from there

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Start by telling yourself you are getting an example of the most successul main battle rifle ever produced and go from there

i understand that. I'm more thinking along the lines is it worth what they are asking? how do i tell its all original and no ones gone and forged numbers to make it look original. just the what to look out for when buying and what questions i should ask.

Ones in really good nick are getting quite expensive. There are a few variations - Longbranch, Canada - Savage, USA (I think these ones have New Zealand Beech stocks) plus some from the UK.

What are you looking at? An original military or a cut down one intending to do a restoration. A No 1 mk 111, english or lithgow, no4 mk 1, 1*, 2, 1/2, ftr. Thats scraping the surface so I understand the concern.
Auction prices are a pretty good guide at recent auctions $350-400 for no4s was pretty typical with over $1100 for unissued or irish ones. no 1 mk 111s similar money in most cases but condition is the key not just wood but also bore.
As to markings, I dont know of forgeries but some are so covered with inspectors stamps, rebarrelling stamps and home guard lettraset numbers you would think they had been.
After the war the ftr program (factory thorough refurbishment) program re lifed many battle damaged rifles and these will often show misnumbered parts. They were renumbered by electropencil think light engraving that often cant be seen.
This could go on for ever and the all about enfields website has a lot of marks etc in the gallery but nothing really beats handling one.
If you are that concerned you could look up your local antique arms branch join and pick there brains or if theres a service rifle club you will find them there doing what they were designed for

im looking at No4 mk 1*, 1/2 & 2. ideally id like a whole wood one ready to go. not after one that has been tapped for scope base. MK2 seems to be going for around $1k mark depending on its condition. I'd look at a restore project one but again itll cost about the same to get it back to original spec.

Im leaning towards a mk2 as im planning of actually shooting with it.

Originally Posted by Beavis

Ones in really good nick are getting quite expensive. There are a few variations - Longbranch, Canada - Savage, USA (I think these ones have New Zealand Beech stocks) plus some from the UK.

Yes, why i want to get one now before they get even more expensive

Dont forget Singer, enfield, Matlby, Fazakely etc there are a lot of makers to choose from.
Watch the US made ones they have property of the U S stamped on them Donald may want them back one day.

Myself I wouldn’t be so worried about stamped numbers they mean nothing the army never bothered if they had a rifle with something fucked they’d change it I don’t know why people get so caught up with numbers
Get a very good condition rifle don’t worry about weather numbers match
Just my opinion

If you want to shoot it just worry about the bore condition most have been stuffed by shooting cordite loaded ammo,
getting a new barrel is gong to be almost impossible all the wood furniture and metal work can be replaced easily enough
without a decent barrel it's only a wall hanger,
True-flite barrels do a .311" barrel if you want real accurate .303

I think NZRAC might of had some Criterion barrels

Originally Posted by Beavis

I think NZRAC might of had some Criterion barrels

Yeah he said they are landing soon and will be around $500