Refinish Lee Enfield Number 4 MK1

[@rbm6184]

Nice work, Toad. Not real sure if all my 1943 M1 Carbine parts are original but not wanting to mess with it just in case, I am leaving it in its surplus condition as I got it. Cosmoline laden wood and all. The gun did not have cosmoline but the stock still has that patina. I believe the gun is parkerized as it has that grey look about it. But I won't swear to it. Anyway nice work on that SMLE. Thanks for sharing.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Those M1 Carbines are excellent short range go to guns. You are right about not altering an original. This N0.4 was not professionally refinished. Markings were all removed and the finish was of unknown composition. I bought it for a fixer upper. The metal on mine was Parkerized as well. When the receivers and barrel are good it makes for a worthwhile restoration. Thanks!

[@wrxs1781]

Great video Toadley, of all the Enfields I have bought and sold up here in Canada, this is the first US made rifle I have seen, they made thousands up here at the Longbranch arsenal during the war years.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

I overlooked these rifles for years. They are very nice. To speed up manufacturing Stevens made a cut in the receiver instead of the button bolt release. That sped up getting the guns overseas.Thanks for watching WRXS.

[@slowhand1198]

@@ToadleyBrowne Longbranch did the same, hence the "*".

[@michaelbenjmitchell1]

@@ToadleyBrowne I believe Long Branch and Savage were working together on the No.4 Mk1 * otherwise both guns would be different other than the markings.

[@thewolfhunter]

I put my K98 Mauser stock in a wallpaper trough filled with water and pool bleach/chlorine ..held it under water with a piece of wood through the action cutout with a brick on top of that.. Waited till it came out white.hung it up to dry.It dried without warping, the light dings came right out,Started with 120grit,then 100..then used stain.Once dried I a light coat of satin clear.When dried I reassembled the gun.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Sounds like it was a great project. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@StonyRC]

Terrifying to see you go at that stock with a power sander! Scraper might have been a better tool, but your final finish does look beautiful. Good job.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Thanks! I started in the refinishing business in 1972. Because the stock was previously skinned there was no ability to restore to its original condition because all the cartouches were already removed.

[@73F100]

Beautiful job. I have a No.4 Mk1/2 . The only thing I have done so far to the furniture is use Murfey's Oil Soap to remove a lot of dirt and grit. As yours, the metal is pristine and beautiful. Thanks for the video.

[@FullLeadTaco]

glad to have distractions... hope all is well in your part of the woods.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Do you ever sleep? You are always busy. Nice job on the give away. You motivated a lot of shooters to go out and have some fun. You are a You Tuber at the next level. Thanks Mike!

[@FullLeadTaco]

@@ToadleyBrowne lol thanks for the kind words, wish you lived closer so we could go out and shoot old guns together

[@garrettvannorden7723]

I clenched my teeth after seeing the power tool but your finish came out really good in the end.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Thank you for watching video.

[@PilotMcbride]

Great work Mike, you did the rifle justice mate. Can't wait to see it on the range. Cheers pal.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Thanks! What model were you using early on? As I remember you have some experience with Lee Enfields.

[@PilotMcbride]

@@ToadleyBrowne I had an Indian made MkIII* (improved), run of the mill, lol. I know with the MkIII the barrels were only hardened for the first & last 6” or so. Don’t know about the No4s. Keep out lookout for a No4 Jungle Carbine, the model Australians used in limited numbers, had a conical flash eliminator on them. Very nice little firearm. Cheers pal

[@bobhaehn5470]

I love a lighter finish on a wood stock. Too dark often hides an overall beautiful grain

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Those 2 stain colors work well on Birch. Thanks for watching Bob:)

[@bobhaehn5470]

@@ToadleyBrowne Pop used to do similar things and the before and after were usually WOW. Takes me back so Thank you for that trip ;-D

[@zaca952]

Looks good, although I prefer the use of a scraper to preserve the sharp edges, it also seems to work faster, I usually will finish off scraping with a light pass of 220 for a military stock, 320 for a sporting stock. I also use alcohol based stains that don't seal the grain, I then use a few passes of raw linseed oil and then top it off with some boiled linseed oil. That is more of the correct military finish, each to their own but I try to preserve the military look. By the way I love the rebarrel videos and would like to see one on a Krag rifle if you ever have one in need of a barrel!

[@baitammo4652]

Fine work on a really cool piece of history!

[@ToadleyBrowne]

After refinishing things for 45 years it has to be something special now as after a while the subject has to be the motivation. This was a simple project that was not too protracted. Thank you for watching:)

[@scottwilson1258]

Thanks Mr. Toadley, Nice Work my Friend

[@gregwilliams386]

The Savage manufactured Enfields usually had birch stocks.

[@georgiaboy4410]

That turned out great Toad👍🏻🇺🇸

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Thanks! Those 2 stain colors with a conditioner under really took the guesswork out of getting that hard Birch to color. I have to stop by and see what you have been up to.

[@frankwrogg2515]

Beautiful work, hope we see it at the range.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Maybe Friday if I get going early. Thanks!

[@slowhand1198]

I like Enfields as well, Toadster. Nice acquisition! Is your Savage a two groove?

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Yes it is. The bore is bright. First click boom today.

[@michaelbenjmitchell1]

@@ToadleyBrowne I have a 1944 Long Branch with the same wood furniture with the grooved rear hand guard. Though I heard the Long Branch guns use Maple for the furniture. yours might also be maple too it has a similar color to Birch.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

@@michaelbenjmitchell1 It sanded like a rock. Very fine straight grain. I am not sure what wood but it appeared to be Birch. Thank you for watching and the comment. It is about time I took it out again.

[@jamespollard1670]

You're labor of love came out nice .

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Thank you James. Going to try to get out tomorrow.

[@mojeaux13]

Are the metal parts blued or painted?

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Just touched up blued. The metal was in good condition.

[@orangetlr]

Was this rifle manufactured in Utica?

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Massachusetts at the Stevens plant. Some say the "s" is for Savage some say it is for Stevens. Thanks for watching Mike Sharpe:)

[@dalanwanbdiska6542]

I have a no4mk1* and the rifle is stripped of all its parts except receiver barrel and wood stock. The stock on the gun is full wood still and has 1 rear top handgaurd and missing the front handgaurd. The middle band that holds the rear handgaurd is still there . If somebody were to have an extra front wood handgaurd it could become a almost complete set. Id sell it or trade for another 22 or something because i know it cost alot to get a rifle like that fully complete. The rear buttstock is there too and the barrrel tip is broken off. Just need another good barrel and receiver. I live in sk canada.