Walked away from No4 Mk1/2, mistake? |
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Jakl
Newbie Joined: April 30 2018 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Posted: April 30 2018 at 9:36pm |
Been searching for a No4 for a while and ran across one locally that seemed to be in decent shape. All numbers matching, serials started with "F", and it was reasenaled to a mk1/2 in 1949 (1943 original build).
I'm still new with these rifles, so in my quest to figure out what exactly to look for, I ran across this video (https://youtu.be/huh7kEKS3xY). Around the 12 minute mark he goes over where the barrel should bear on the stock. The one I checked out today put pressure on the bottom and left sides. It would spring back there each time. The seller still claimed that it was accurate, but it scared me off. Even though it was $400, I didn't want something that was terribly inaccurate. Did I make a mistake by making a big deal about the forend pressure or am I better off to keep looking? |
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Zed
Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 5585 |
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I think that price is very good for a No4Mk1/2 providing it's matching numbers on bolt and receiver.
The wood can have an effect on accuracy; but it can also be fixed by refitting it properly. Also consider that the No4Mk1/2 is rarer than the standard Mk1 and has the advantage of having the WWII pedigree but with the later modification to the receiver hung trigger of the Mk2. While these are military rifles, not match rifles. A good one in the right hands can surprise many modern rifles at the range. Most just need a little TLC to get them right; and that's half the fun!
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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
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Bear43
Special Member Donating Member Joined: August 11 2010 Location: Doland, SD Status: Offline Points: 3059 |
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Wood fitment is easy to address if it causes an issue. Personally, with matching numbers at that price I would have snagged it up.
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Jakl
Newbie Joined: April 30 2018 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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I appreciate the replies. I reached back out to the seller and I plan on picking it up next weekend.
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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Go for it, the price is worth a bit of stock work.
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Zed
Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 5585 |
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Think it's a wise decision to go back and get it for that price.
Here in France you won't find a No4 of any model for less than 700 Euros (about 800 US dollars). But even for the USA I think the price is good. Please post some photos when you've got it. Feel free to ask questions here. There's plenty of good info to be had.
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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
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Jakl
Newbie Joined: April 30 2018 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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the "F" designation was for fine rear sights IIRC , they were fitted with the micrometer rear sights , just short of "T" quality i think but i could be wrong on this as ive never seen one so marked - only read of them ,
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Jakl
Newbie Joined: April 30 2018 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Finally got the rifle, and unfortunately it may have more problems than I initially noticed. First and foremost it looks like the serial number was ground off the bolt at some point for reasons unknown. The butt stock does not match, but everything else that has a serial matches. It looks to be in good shape, but the ground bolt handle worries me. Pictures:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hEKxVsOvWpUNSGDp2 https://photos.app.goo.gl/vAkVlZnudxWzbY4r2 https://photos.app.goo.gl/4a9peN33P9OuiB1t1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/lnzlxSeD7XQ7VhLV2 https://photos.app.goo.gl/R6rheoaGJ0FvOdcf2 https://photos.app.goo.gl/aODRDGMLTG27V22P2 https://photos.app.goo.gl/Xlrdpv2Nwgw0325P2 https://photos.app.goo.gl/EJkdhH56QKqwoCKz1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/N8G7fLghVOTJnPD62 https://photos.app.goo.gl/A26PeF8a4wrIEwQ52 https://photos.app.goo.gl/MHFWbUEwz7hvddDi7 https://photos.app.goo.gl/mX2UkMYuswghZ5UA2 |
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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The pictures show a very nice rifle. It started life from the Maltby plant according to the serial number. The bolt,from what I could see,is the correct bolt that was installed originally. Don't worry about the grind marks on the bolt handle. You should consider getting a new rear sight with the 300 yard peep sight not ground off however. Unless you're okay flipping the battle sight up everytime you want to shoot. As far as the buttstock not having the same serial number as the rifle itself. It went through a factory thorough repair,(FTR). A refitting of another stock was not uncommon.
Nice find all the way around... |
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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i think so too , go for it if still available , it will shoot fine or you can make it so with very little effort , i would shoot it to see first - before you do a thing to it , often the "rules" dont apply to enfields - never say 'always or never' when it comes to these rifles ,
not sure how rare a maltby 1/2 is but ive only seen one in person before - i bought it ,
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Jakl
Newbie Joined: April 30 2018 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Thanks for all the input guys! It's already home with me, so disregard the original title. I'll be looking out for a sight like you mentioned, but hang on to the old one for the sake of preservation. Now time to shoot it!
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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I have a 1952 FTR No4 Mk1/2 that started life as a 1944 Maltby.
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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I would check for a couple of things with the ground bolt. 1: firing pin protrusion. It should be between 0.04" & 0.05" with the striker in the fired position. 2: bolt head rotation. should screw in fully & stop no more than 15° past the bolt's rib. 3: locking lug engagement. Degrease the bolt lugs coat the rear faces with engineers blue or sharpie. open & close the bolt fully on a fired or dummy round 3~4 times. Look for worn off color. FULL engagement is not needed but an equal amount on both is. 4: headspace. This should be checked with a 0.074"
FIELD gauge. Then you're good to go for sure.
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Zed
Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 5585 |
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If the 300 yard battle sight is ground off; it could be because the sight was originally fitted to a No4T rifle. The scoped rifles would have that ground off I believe.
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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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Yes they were to allow clearance for the scope eyepiece.
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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