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303hunter

303hunter

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IMG_0177.JPG Found this sporterized Enfield in the bargain bin at my LGS 10-12 years ago marked $75. It's got a Bishop walnut stock, S&K scope mount, and a nicely crowned 24" barrel. Pretty good bargain I thought. Looked kinda rough, but had a good bore.

I hunted with it for years, and never thought about it being anything special. One day at the range, an older gentleman asked to look at it. After examining it, he asked me: Do you have any idea what you've got here? I asked what he meant, and he told me that it was originally a sniper rifle, and it would be worth a bunch if someone hadn't "fu~~ed it up. He pointed out the "T" markings, which I knew nothing about.

I explained to him how I got it, and he did say whoever modified it knew what they were doing. I wish it were original, but I enjoy it like it is. If this rifle could talk, I bet it could tell some interesting stories!
 
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Windini said:
Great story! Enjoy your piece of history (even more than you have already)!
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I want to refinish the whole rifle. I've thought of having the metal parkerized, but don't want to destroy any markings/numbers. I can handle the wood myself. Any ideas?
 
303hunter said:
I want to refinish the whole rifle. I've thought of having the metal parkerized, but don't want to destroy any markings/numbers. I can handle the wood myself. Any ideas?
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Uh, find a professional?? :)

I'm no gunsmith, and my baby sister once called me "bubba," so I'd take whatever I say with a grain o' salt... That said, I think Parkerizing is just the finish, so if the prep doesn't remove/diminish the depth of the markings, then the finish shouldn't disappear 'em, either.

In any case, IF you're going to have some work done to it, do some research to find out what is period-appropriate--educate yourself so you can find the right pro & fend off any BS.

Then again, if it ain't broke... shoot it! It's done you right this long.
 
Go to milsurps.com and look up articles by Peter Laidler. He was an Armourer who had actually worked Enfields in service. In the knowledge library are articles on the no4 (T) etc. They examples of trials models and regular service models.
 
Parkerizing is easy. I've done lots of guns. I learned how when I built my semi Belt feds. Done several since.
You have to remove the old finish though. Fastest and easiest way is sand or bead blasting. If you go easy around the markings it does little if any removal
Parts have to be clean and free of an oil.
Then into the hot parkerizing solution until they stop fizzing.
Take them out and spray with copious amounts of wd-40 to stop the reaction. Then wipe down with oil and reassemble.
The cleaner the steel, the better the finish.
 
nc_reb said:
Parkerizing is easy. I've done lots of guns. I learned how when I built my semi Belt feds. Done several since.
You have to remove the old finish though. Fastest and easiest way is sand or bead blasting. If you go easy around the markings it does little if any removal
Parts have to be clean and free of an oil.
Then into the hot parkerizing solution until they stop fizzing.
Take them out and spray with copious amounts of wd-40 to stop the reaction. Then wipe down with oil and reassemble.
The cleaner the steel, the better the finish.
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Thanks for the info! If this rifle was all original I wouldn't think of restoring it, but with the barrel cut, and all original wood gone there's no way to even restore it. Barrel has been painted at some point with quite a few paint chips, and the stock needs some love as well. I can handle the wood refinishing, but know nothing about the metal. Maybe I can find someone local to Fayetteville to do it.
 
I wouldn't mess with it. It will never be original again, but there's no reason you cannot enjoy it as is.

It should be a really accurate rifle, if the barrel wasn't affected during sporterization.
 
bones92 said:
I wouldn't mess with it. It will never be original again, but there's no reason you cannot enjoy it as is.

It should be a really accurate rifle, if the barrel wasn't affected during sporterization.
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It's very accurate, shoots moa with PPU soft point. I've never reloaded for it, but plan to soon.
 
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