Restoration Project: Lee Enfield No4 Mk1 ROF Fazakerley

[AFJuvat]

Did this one for

It was originally made in 1944 at Royal Ordinance Factory Fazakerley.

Enfields were originally finished with "Suncorite", a black enamel that was thinned with Carbon Tetrachloride, which was banned years ago due to its toxicity. Suncorite is very tough to remove, but is vulnerable to chipping.

It was imported by TN Guns. The importer, or someone else, stripped off a lot of the Suncorite, and applied a parkerized finish. At some point, one of it's owners 'refinished' it with black paint.



Photograph taken before it was sent to me:


The serial number and model number information were not roll stamped on the receiver, but applied with an electro-pencil.


The only clear serial number on the rifle was on the bottom of the magazine. perhaps the rifle was force matched to the magazine?


The buttstock has two poorly fitted repairs, and is pretty grungy. The stock metal was pretty much 'in the white'






A few more example pieces:

Original milled rear sight and safety:


Upper and lower barrel bands:




With the barrel in good shape, given the condition of the rifle and electro-penciled marking, this is more of a shooter than a collector's piece, and a good candidate for restoration.

Next post: The Cleanup.