Looking for a No.4Mk2 forend...I think they are extinct

[BlitzKrieg]

Been to usual parts places , coming up dry. Not at panic level yet but
darn frustrated.

You reading this... don't try to "rescue" a No.4 !:eusa_wall:

[free1954]

you may be right about them being extinct. liberty tree collectables https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/ltc-default.asp has parts sometimes that they don't advertise. you could try calling them.

[m1ashooter]

Are you on the Lee Enfield Forum?

[lyman]

Are you on the Lee Enfield Forum?

which one?

[Sunray]

$39.95 at Gunparts. Who continue to list No. 4 Lee-Enfields under 'SMLE'. It wasn't made by SMLE either.
They say it's an "original arsenal refinished walnut fore stock". Product #1251690
"...don't try to "rescue" a No.4..." A very expensive thing to do these days.

[BlitzKrieg]

$39.95 at Gunparts. Who continue to list No. 4 Lee-Enfields under 'SMLE'. It wasn't made by SMLE either.
They say it's an "original arsenal refinished walnut fore stock". Product #1251690
"...don't try to "rescue" a No.4..." A very expensive thing to do these days.

Thank You for the assistance

[twh]

Liberty tree collectors lists complete beech stock sets for No.4 mk2s and I would check Apex Gun Parts as well since the appear to have acquired most of Springfield Sporters Enfield parts.

[dogtag]

$39.95 at Gunparts. Who continue to list No. 4 Lee-Enfields under 'SMLE'. It wasn't made by SMLE either.
They say it's an "original arsenal refinished walnut fore stock". Product #1251690
"...don't try to "rescue" a No.4..." A very expensive thing to do these days.

Don't really understand why a #4 shouldn't be termed SMLE
after all the number 4 takes the same basic 'Short' magazine as earlier #1 Mk3 known as the SMLE


( I went through boot camp with a #4)

[JB White]

Don't really understand why a #4 shouldn't be termed SMLE
after all the number 4 takes the same basic 'Short' magazine as earlier #1 Mk3 known as the SMLE


( I went through boot camp with a #4)

Because they are two different rifles and the No4 came around long after the ShtLE/SMLE was renamed the No1. Parts will not interchange between the two. Not even the screws unless someone forces one into the hole. The barrels clock opposite between the the two. One has the bolthead riding outside the rail while the other rides an inside rail. Etc.etc.etc.....
I should add the short part is because its shorter than the long lees but still not a carbine. A short rifle and why they added five inches of pike length to the 1907 bayonet.
Magazine because its magazine fed and charger loaded.
Lee because they retained the Lee designed action.
Enfield due to the Enfield designed rifling.
SMLE is not an abbreviated single name. Its a conglomeration of 4 separate things.
The No4 retained very few of the original traits as it was designed for cottage industry parts supply. They look familiar though.

Hope that helps?

BTW, the No2 is a rimfire and the No3 is the P14. Just in case you were wondering. ;)

[M1Garandy]

I'm not sure if you do eBay, but there are always Mk2 forends listed. usually many more than Mk1's.

[dogtag]

Because they are two different rifles and the No4 came around long after the ShtLE/SMLE was renamed the No1. Parts will not interchange between the two. Not even the screws unless someone forces one into the hole. The barrels clock opposite between the the two. One has the bolthead riding outside the rail while the other rides an inside rail. Etc.etc.etc.....
I should add the short part is because its shorter than the long lees but still not a carbine. A short rifle and why they added five inches of pike length to the 1907 bayonet.
Magazine because its magazine fed and charger loaded.
Lee because they retained the Lee designed action.
Enfield due to the Enfield designed rifling.
SMLE is not an abbreviated single name. Its a conglomeration of 4 separate things.
The No4 retained very few of the original traits as it was designed for cottage industry parts supply. They look familiar though.

Hope that helps?

BTW, the No2 is a rimfire and the No3 is the P14. Just in case you were wondering. ;)

Yup Thanks. Wish I hadn't sold my #1Mk3, but regret selling lots of things.
I should have been born old - would have known better.

[BlitzKrieg]

So far, I 've encountered scammers trying to sell Indian wood No4Mk2 fore arms. Did find a very few
British No.4Mk2 fore arms in poor condition or so outrageously priced, it was far far cheaper to buy another rifle and forget restoring this sporterized rifle.

I'll succeed but I'll pay out the nose and have to import a proper Brit for end from UK. That is the price for success.

Apex does not have what I need, SARCO doesn't respond to questions so that I can buy with confidence, Ebay/Gun Broker listers offer only spongy Indian wood, Springfield Sporters is out of business. I may have to take a trip to Gun Parts and see what they got ..thats a option before I reach to England.

Stay away from No.4Mk2 ... far more parts around for No4Mk1.

Thanks all for trying to help.

[The Armourer]

Don't really understand why a #4 shouldn't be termed SMLE
after all the number 4 takes the same basic 'Short' magazine as earlier #1 Mk3 known as the SMLE


( I went through boot camp with a #4)
'
I don't really understand why Ford don't call the 'Fusion' a 'Mustang', they both are manufactured by Ford, they both have 4-wheels, both have an engine, both have doors etc etc.

[JB White]

When I see your online handle The Armourer I automatically think of the real The Armourer who passed away a couple years ago. Well known on all the British/Commonwealth boards and a helpful contributor off forum. A well known seller worldwide when it came to providing Lee Enfield parts including some of the rare, hard to find bits and pieces.
An armourer for the New Zealand forces and custom gunsmith out of Christchurch NZ. His expertise was priceless.

So,don't be surprised if you get highly technical inquiries and/or polite requests for assistance. Robbie left some pretty big footprints in a pretty big shadow for you to follow. It'll take a good number of years to fade I'm sure. Some of the more recent/less frequent visitors may be unaware of his early demise.

[lyman]

'
I don't really understand why Ford don't call the 'Fusion' a 'Mustang', they both are manufactured by Ford, they both have 4-wheels, both have an engine, both have doors etc etc.

IIRC, the Fusion was originally going to be called the Mustang, till the Mustang folks heard about it and had a fit,

[The Armourer]

How's about this (or is this the same 'Indian' stuff you have already found) ?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LEE-ENFIELD-No-4-MK2-WOOD-STOCK-SET-/264540515171

[BlitzKrieg]

See that faint FR on stock.....Indian as curry. Photos cleverly don't show screw in forend.

Buyer beware

[lyman]

interesting it is marked FR under the butt plate,

[JB White]

See that faint FR on stock.....Indian as curry. Photos cleverly don't show screw in forend.

Buyer beware

Meaning the way they show only one side of the fore end from different angles, thus giving the glance shopper the impression they've seen both sides? Clever indeed. Although I can think of stronger words.

[Sunray]

"...Number 4 takes the same basic 'Short' magazine..." The mag has nothing to do with a No. 1 being called 'Short'. The No. 1 was called 'Short' because it was designed for use by both Cavalry and Infantry. Prior to the No. 1 there was a long barreled Infantry rifle and a shorter, but not always carbine length, Cavalry rifle.
Anyway, SMLE is more correctly written, S,M,LE. As in Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield.
"...reach to England..." I think, but am not sure, that there would be daft export rules for firearm parts.

[BlitzKrieg]

I was saved by a generous collector and my rifle now has a new old stock original Mk2 fore end.

Took many hours to carefully and correctly fit the fore end onto the barreled action.

Range results with factory ammo was .8 MOA at 100 yds, will retest with my match 303 handloads next range visit.

My advice: days of restoring a No.4 sporter are long gone. Don't do it unless you want a long drama and high cost.

Surplus rifle parts , especially wood furniture has dried up. WWII was a long time ago and what many of us remember

as cheap parts in huge supply is not the case anymore.

Good shooting all