British .303 Enfield

[seal1980]

My wife’s late grandfather gave me his British .303 Enfield rifle he had issued to him in WWII. He gave it to me as a 'parting' gift as he knows my passion for firearms. He had not cleaned or had this rifle serviced in over 25 years (it hung on his wall in his den) and it looks like it is in pretty bad shape. I am seeking a gunsmith or restorer to completely tear down the rifle, re-blue and re-finish the wood components so that it will once again become a working heirloom in my family. I dont want to take it to just anyone - any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[critter]

Hope you don't mind advice from me. Those old war horses are pieces of history, both of the war(s) they were in and the family history. If it were me, I would give it a breakdown and complete cleaning, both wood and metal. I would not refinish either the wood or metal as the wear, dings, dints, etc speak to its special trip through life.

You might have a 'smith inspect it to see if it is safe to fire. If so, I'd simply use it as is. It will never look new and redoing it would lose all the history it has accumulated.

 

[mrmeval]

http://www.surplusrifle.com/ for information on the rifle which includes how
to disassemble, clean and check function.

I agree with making it something the family can look at and appreciate. I'm not one to much care about a firearms commercial collectibility when it should never leave the family.

Enfield No4
http://www.surplusrifle.com/no4/index.asp

SMLE
http://www.surplusrifle.com/smle/index.asp

 

[Jim K]

Gun values seldom reach the stratospheric heights of some other items, but every time I hear the word "restore", I can't help but remember the scene on the Antiques Roadshow, where a woman brags proudly that she had her antique desk restored. The Roadshow expert tells her that it is now worth $10,000, and she looks smug and pleased. Then he tells her that if she had not had it restored it would have been worth $200,000.

The look on her face - priceless.

Jim

 

[mrmeval]

Then she cared more for the money then passing down an heirloom to the family.

 

[TEDDY]

303

JIM could also tell you that the british had habbit of painting rifles the metal I mean althu some they paintede all over.clean it and oil.It will be good to shoot if he never changed anything.but they are hard on brass.

 

[seal1980]

Thanks

I appericate everyones opinion - The jury is still out. Keep you all posted.

 

[rcmodel]

Don't refinish it!

British Enfield rifles were never pretty & shiny blue, even when they were brand new!


rcmodel

 

[jpwilly]

I bought mine specifically refinished because I didn't want an ugly stick!

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

She's a looker for sure. How does she shoot?