New Ugliest gun added to my collection

[Pector55]

I had a box waiting for me when I got home from work tonight. I got my first Lee Enfield. It's a 1943 No.4 MK I. This is the ugliest gun I own. I'm going to add a pic but just curious as to whether there are any other Enfield owners on the board?

Any tips or things to look for as I strip and clean it?

[mikepro8]

Why so ugly? I like the look of the Enfields, though I dont own one yet.

[DCChris]

How ugly can it be? It's not black or made out of plastic Good luck with your new rifle.

[SteveWag]

The last time that rifle, in the form you received it, won the Farr match at Camp Perry was in the mid-70's. Thats 1000 yards, iron sights, body supported, no bench, no rest, just an arm and a sling and maybe a mat. Not so bad!!

Steve Wagner

[wizzegun]

How can the Enfield be ugly?? Was it Bubba'd? Then I would say yeah. I have a couple Enfield #1 and #4's and they are far from ugly. I'm sure a new thread could be started for what everyone's thoughts on what an ugly milsurp rifle is.

As far as cleaning, there is nothing special that you need to worry about. You need a special tool to remove the firing pin but that's about it. Where was the Enfield made..Savage, Long Branch, Maltby, etc...?

[Pector55]

haha, I got it from Century and they rated it as "Good." The wood is very dark and in some places it's fairly black.

As I started taking it apart, I noticed that although it smelled of cosmoline, I didn't see any. I did run into a lot of wax-like stuff in each crevice which had attracted a lot of grit and grime. When I took the metal butt stock plate off, there was a very thick layer of wax under it. I suspect that perhaps it was something they used to rub into the stock? It does not look anything like cosmoline.

I have it all apart except for the butt stock. Holy cow, it appears as though there is a screw that holds the butt stock on. To get to it, you go through the center of the butt stock to get to it. I don't have any screwdrivers long enough though.

[Pector55]

Where was the Enfield made..Savage, Long Branch, Maltby, etc...?

I'll go find out real quick. Yeah, ugly based on the condition it was in. After I clean it up, I'm sure she will be nice.

[knighthawk06699]

I'll go find out real quick. Yeah, ugly based on the condition it was in. After I clean it up, I'm sure she will be nice.

I see no pictures. Post us some gun porn if you get the chance.

[Pector55]

Wow, it's tough finding information about arsenal marks on these things. Mine is stamped M47 with 1943 stamped under it on that ring that the butt stock attaches to. There is a serial number but it appears to be one put in by the importers since it starts MK4

Using this site, I basically can't determine anything about this gun yet. http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/in2.htm

[wizzegun]

Ahhh ugly for NOW. There is a big bolt holding the buttstock on. check out this link and scroll down
http://surplusrifle.com/no4/rifledis...2006/index.asp

Yes we need the before pics (now) and then the after.