wood on an enfield stock

gokuboy26 · 04-19-2008, 05:16 PM

I got a No 4 MK I at an auction for $100. the metal looked to have been spray painted black... and had runs and scratches... The stock was solid, but all beat up and nasty. I figured it would make a fun project. I'm having the local gunsmith redo all the metal parts for me. He buffed out all the rough parts, scratches, etc, and is rebluing it. I pick it up next week.

I'm redoing the stock at home... I have most of the dings steamed out, and the scratches are removed and it is now sanded with 800 grit... (... I know- overkill)

the weird thing is the wood is multiple types of wood. Is this normal? have you guys run into this? the long piece underneath is a red-colored wood, and the buttsock, and 2 top pieces are much lighter... it is making it tricky to get the stain to match on all pieces...

for those curious, I'm applying a dark red mahogany stain... and later will apply Formby's Tung oil finish. I'll post pics when I'm done.... when all is said and done, it will have cost a total of $215, and should look pretty sharp. (note- I'm not tryint to "restore"... just trying to make a beautiful, and cheap shooter)

irish murphy · 04-19-2008, 06:56 PM

Its not uncommon for the timber work to not match.Was either changed in the factory/armourer or by someone who owned it previous to you.Good on ya for having a go.Have you taken before and after pics?

gokuboy26 · 04-19-2008, 09:43 PM

I didn't get the before pics... i know- I'm still kicking myself because the transformation will be big

irish murphy · 04-20-2008, 05:32 AM

Dont kick yourself to much bro.I didnt get any pics of the ishy before i started either.

Big Dog · 04-20-2008, 07:03 PM

Yep, it's typical. My No.4 Mk.1/2 has mismatched hand guards compared to the stock.
This also applies to many other milsurp rifles.

gokuboy26 · 04-24-2008, 02:01 PM

Update:I took the furniture back to the shop, and he is reassembling the rifle... he had EVERYTHING apart for the refinishing... a box of 20 or 30 pieces.

The stock looks 1000x better, not the best refinish job, but much better.

Zephri · 04-24-2008, 03:18 PM

Can't wait for the pictures!

thumperpaul · 04-26-2008, 11:25 PM

I restored my Bubba'd #4 Mk1*, and as it is very difficult to find a complete original stock, the timber is mismatched on mine as well. It doesn't matter to me, as I think it looks way better than the chopped down version that I started with.

Beaker · 04-27-2008, 12:34 AM

Mine is too, but it was explained to me by an old army Armourer that these miliary rifles were never meant to be pretty and during wartime all sorts of companies got contracts to supply components so the guy assembling just grabbed a bit of wood from each box and made no attempt to match. Also in combat, drill, range work or just plain tomfoolery damaged parts were just replaced with no attempt to match meaning these REAL guns can have a real patchwork quilt of a stock which I personally love.

thumperpaul · 04-27-2008, 02:15 AM

amen Bro...very well said!!!

Beaker · 04-27-2008, 05:15 AM

another small point is the black paint may have been origional some were painted some parkerised and other coatings. Mine has some of the origional black enamel which may have been dipped on it has runs bubbles etc.

It should be a fine rifle when you're finished, gotta love the old girls that may have seen some action defending the free world.

Particularly for me because some of my uncles may have carried one just like mine in North Africa, or Crete or Casino.

REM.303 · 04-27-2008, 11:46 PM

if you guys are looking for Complete Stock Kits with all of the metal parts included. try springfield sporters, mine cost me $45.00

gokuboy26 · 05-02-2008, 06:38 PM

I got it back today: (hope the pics turn out... i took with my phone)

I'm not sure I like how the stock is so glossy... I used formbys low gloss tung oil....but I'm thinking of buffing it lightly w some 0000 steel wool... we'll see... maybe it'll grow on me..

Capt'n Mil Coll · 05-02-2008, 09:33 PM

Looking goooood. Shiney.

04-19-2008, 05:16 PM	#1
gokuboy26 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 47 Trader Rating: (0)	wood on an enfield stock I got a No 4 MK I at an auction for $100. the metal looked to have been spray painted black... and had runs and scratches... The stock was solid, but all beat up and nasty. I figured it would make a fun project. I'm having the local gunsmith redo all the metal parts for me. He buffed out all the rough parts, scratches, etc, and is rebluing it. I pick it up next week. I'm redoing the stock at home... I have most of the dings steamed out, and the scratches are removed and it is now sanded with 800 grit... (... I know- overkill) the weird thing is the wood is multiple types of wood. Is this normal? have you guys run into this? the long piece underneath is a red-colored wood, and the buttsock, and 2 top pieces are much lighter... it is making it tricky to get the stain to match on all pieces... for those curious, I'm applying a dark red mahogany stain... and later will apply Formby's Tung oil finish. I'll post pics when I'm done.... when all is said and done, it will have cost a total of $215, and should look pretty sharp. (note- I'm not tryint to "restore"... just trying to make a beautiful, and cheap shooter)

04-20-2008, 07:03 PM	#5
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,063 Trader Rating: (0)	Yep, it's typical. My No.4 Mk.1/2 has mismatched hand guards compared to the stock. This also applies to many other milsurp rifles. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

04-24-2008, 03:18 PM	#7
Zephri Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN. "The city where nothing happens." Posts: 1,033 Trader Rating: (1)	Can't wait for the pictures! __________________ "All rifles need a sharp pointy object on the end!" http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l195/zephri/

04-27-2008, 11:46 PM	#12
REM.303 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: 15 miles PAST the end of the earth Posts: 145 Trader Rating: (0)	if you guys are looking for Complete Stock Kits with all of the metal parts included. try springfield sporters, mine cost me $45.00 __________________ Remember, the easy path IS ALWAYS Mined... Last edited by REM.303; 04-27-2008 at 11:48 PM.

05-02-2008, 06:38 PM	#13
gokuboy26 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 47 Trader Rating: (0)	Finally got pics! I got it back today: (hope the pics turn out... i took with my phone) I'm not sure I like how the stock is so glossy... I used formbys low gloss tung oil....but I'm thinking of buffing it lightly w some 0000 steel wool... we'll see... maybe it'll grow on me.. Last edited by gokuboy26; 05-02-2008 at 08:43 PM. Reason: to add title

04-19-2008, 06:56 PM	#2
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Trader Rating: (0)	Its not uncommon for the timber work to not match.Was either changed in the factory/armourer or by someone who owned it previous to you.Good on ya for having a go.Have you taken before and after pics?

04-19-2008, 09:43 PM	#3
gokuboy26 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 47 Trader Rating: (0)	I didn't get the before pics... i know- I'm still kicking myself because the transformation will be big

04-20-2008, 05:32 AM	#4
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Trader Rating: (0)	Dont kick yourself to much bro.I didnt get any pics of the ishy before i started either.

04-24-2008, 02:01 PM	#6
gokuboy26 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 47 Trader Rating: (0)	Update:I took the furniture back to the shop, and he is reassembling the rifle... he had EVERYTHING apart for the refinishing... a box of 20 or 30 pieces. The stock looks 1000x better, not the best refinish job, but much better.

04-26-2008, 11:25 PM	#8
thumperpaul Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: vancouver bc canada Posts: 132 Trader Rating: (0)	I restored my Bubba'd #4 Mk1*, and as it is very difficult to find a complete original stock, the timber is mismatched on mine as well. It doesn't matter to me, as I think it looks way better than the chopped down version that I started with.

04-27-2008, 12:34 AM	#9
Beaker Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 32 Trader Rating: (0)	Mine is too, but it was explained to me by an old army Armourer that these miliary rifles were never meant to be pretty and during wartime all sorts of companies got contracts to supply components so the guy assembling just grabbed a bit of wood from each box and made no attempt to match. Also in combat, drill, range work or just plain tomfoolery damaged parts were just replaced with no attempt to match meaning these REAL guns can have a real patchwork quilt of a stock which I personally love.

04-27-2008, 02:15 AM	#10
thumperpaul Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: vancouver bc canada Posts: 132 Trader Rating: (0)	amen Bro...very well said!!!

04-27-2008, 05:15 AM	#11
Beaker Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 32 Trader Rating: (0)	another small point is the black paint may have been origional some were painted some parkerised and other coatings. Mine has some of the origional black enamel which may have been dipped on it has runs bubbles etc. It should be a fine rifle when you're finished, gotta love the old girls that may have seen some action defending the free world. Particularly for me because some of my uncles may have carried one just like mine in North Africa, or Crete or Casino.

05-02-2008, 09:33 PM	#14
Capt'n Mil Coll Military Rifle Collector Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 2,057 Trader Rating: (0)	Looking goooood. Shiney. __________________ Let's light this fuse and see what happens! Last edited by Capt'n Mil Coll; 05-02-2008 at 09:47 PM.