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enfield stock refinishing

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28 May 2006, 22:37
kombatkarl
enfield stock refinishing
i want to refinish my stock and metal, but i was curious as to if there was any distinguishing marks i should look for because i dont want to take out any markings that may add value, or if it is a valuable rifle, (which im pretty sure its not), i dont want to kill the value. here are markings i can see:

reciever stamped:
C.I.A. GEORGIA VT.
CAL. .303 ENGLAND
SER. MK413696

No.4 Mk.1

Buttstock socket stamped:
M.1943
AF
14468

no other discernable markings that i can see, and none on the stock, should there be?

thanks for all help!
29 May 2006, 05:12
Tex21
I understand what you're thinking, but I would advise against trying to restore your Enfield. Many of us set out to refurbish our mil-surps with the best of intentions and open pandora's box instead and often aren't totally happy with the results. What I would advise instead is clean all the cosmoline off it, clean up the stock and use a little tung oil to seal it up and go shooting.

The first set of stampings you note is the importer's mark. Century Arms International imported your rifle.

You have a Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk1. Without looking it over, I can't tell you who made it.

You have a good rifle, well built and reliable, and may even turn out to be quite accurate. I would hang onto it and enjoy it as is. If however, you have a hankering to work on Lee-Enfields, look around the local pawnshops and wait for one that's had a scope added to tinker with; they usually sell cheap.

Good luck with your new rifle!


Jason

"Chance favors the prepared mind."
29 May 2006, 06:13
kombatkarl
yeah thats what i had planned. i didnt want to fully restore it, just clean up the wood and get some rust off so i wasnt embarrassed to go shoot it at the range. thanks for the info.

what does the markings on the buttstock socket mean? manufacture date?
29 May 2006, 10:11
Tex21
Yes, I believe so.


Jason

"Chance favors the prepared mind."
29 May 2006, 21:48
gnoahhh
AF on an Enfield usually means Australian Forces, but since yours is a No.4MkI that is a little puzzling. Australia never adopted the No.4, having stayed with the No.1MkIII into the 50's when they adopted the FN FAL.