[Laufer]

Found my (second) LE at the Batesville MS gun show today in good condition. The seller is from Lucedale, MS and recently sold some others.
Nothing matches, some numbers are scratched out or inscribed with other illegible numbers and it says "FTR" (factory through repair). The bore/rifling are very bright and shiny.

The metal has been reblued somewhere and the hand guard is much darker than the nice brown (mod. scratched) stock.
Were they put together this way from various parts just after the war? The stock has either 1942 or 1946/8 in tiny yellow markings.

[Big Dog]

Yes, it is very common for the hanguards to not match the stock. They were often made of different wood, or from a different tree of same species which can give differing colors. None of my three Enfields has matching wood.

[Alan De Enfield]

Nothing is impossible for an Enfield - BUT - it doesnt sound quite 'right'.
An FTR (or arsenal refurbishment) would normally make a good / perfect job (yes the wood might not match but the numbers would be sorted out).
If you want it as a 'shooter' and it headspaces OK then why worry. If you want it as a collectors piece you may have bought a 'lemon'.

The military didnt 'blue' their rifles so if it is 'blue' and not 'suncorite' then its a 'home' applied job.

Post some pictures of the markings and we'll give you a better idea as to what you have, an arsenal rebuild or a 'home made' put-together job.

[Laufer]

Thanks gents. Alan, would like to but have zero computer skills except installing "Forgotten Battles" and using a Spit like "The Few" to sometimes down an ME-109 or a pair of skilled Me-110 Flieger.

My only goal was to have some sort of #4 shooter which is not American (after all, it is a British, or should be at least a Commonwealth rifle), although strangely enough, when I made my decision to buy and went up the gun show steps to find a cash machine, a guy came in with a matching Savage #4, looked silver with the bluing gone. Sold it for $200.
Not a bad selection for a small show in Batesville, MS with few customers?

My bore's condition compensates very well for the odd parts numbers and the wood plus metal is in pretty good shape/colour. Also, the last round from the mag never misfeeds up and to the left of the chamber, as mostly happens in my authentic #5 ROF (F)". You want to see a nice collection of British etc rifles and handguns plus militaria? Check "Joesalter". Got my #5 there. He's a Canadian guy in New Hampshire (many items are from his Can. store).

A friend today at a range (was on a military rifle team, wins iron sight matches, and a record, from 200-600 yards) took about four shots from 50 yards with my 'new' rifle, only iron sights, scoring two on the edge of the small orange bullseye. This is the black plastic 'peel-off' target which makes bright green outlines by each hole or scratch.

Mike's first and only shot from 100 yards was sitting on the ground like a jungle native.
He hit the center of the bullseye ! He then said "I quit", and had somehow known overall to adjust his aim about 5" low and some small tad to the left, even with the black sight on the black plastic.