rondog: that area just forward of the magazine is never mentioned by anybody else.
On all four of my #4/Mk 1 rifles, the metal contour matches the shape of the wood.
In both of my "Jungles", the metal contour does Not match the shape of the wood. It's sort of a figure 8. Is this too subtle for others to notice when side-by-side?
Even Charles R. Stratton says nothing about this in his book "British Enfield Rifles, Vol. 2, LE No. 4 and No. 5 Rifles".
At a gun show, what seller let's a prospective buyer disassemble the handguard in order to spot the "lightening cuts" (to verify it's a #5)?
Checking this small area forward of the magazine is much simpler.