Lee

Kevin G · #1 10-22-2023, 01:56 PM

Anyone know what species’ of wood was used for Lee–Enfield Stocks?
I suspect a variety of wood types was used.
Tks, Kevin G

LVSteve · #2 10-22-2023, 02:29 PM

You suspect correctly. Beech and walnut were often the woods of choice on UK built Enfields. There are said to be some examples with birch buttstocks. Rumor control also says guns with mixed woods were stained to match. Seems like a lot of work to me.

Australian rifles had either imported UK walnut, Queensland Maple or coachwood which has a reputation for needing extra reinforcement.

The wood most commonly used on Indian Enfields is said to be a form of rosewood. Otherwise it is said they used everything from a local type of walnut to teak or even mahogany. That last one seems unlikely, but I would not rule it out.

The stuff used on the Pakistani No4 Mk2s I think is circassian walnut. I can say for sure that their stocks are dark, very heavy, and overbuilt compared to a UK made rifle.

US and Canadian built Enfields were usually in black walnut, if memory serves.

ZGrand · #3 10-22-2023, 02:45 PM

As far as I know (and that's not much) there were various types of wood used. Walnut, beech, birch, and who knows what else. The ones on my 1942 no.1 MKIII are beech, and I'm not even sure about that.

Ivan the Butcher · #4 10-22-2023, 04:47 PM

The No4 and No5 Longbranch rifles (Canada) both have some type of white hardwood, I assume it is Beech. The No4 from England and the several Mark III's I had all had English Walnut.

Ivan

LVSteve · #5 10-22-2023, 05:09 PM

Longbranch didn't make any No.5 Mk1s, AKA the Jungle Carbine. They were only built at Fazakerley (Liverpool area) and BSA (Birmingham).

Ivan the Butcher · #6 10-22-2023, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVSteve

Longbranch didn't make any No.5 Mk1s, AKA the Jungle Carbine. They were only built at Fazakerley (Liverpool area) and BSA (Birmingham).

Interesting! I always thought it was not built at Longbranch, but re-built from a No4. It definitely says Longbranch and a MM/YY date from 66 (If I remember correctly) It is in never issued condition and the finish looks to be Parkerized.

Ivan

Kevin G · #7 10-22-2023, 07:21 PM

Thank you, gentlemen

LVSteve · #8 10-22-2023, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan the Butcher

Interesting! I always thought it was not built at Longbranch, but re-built from a No4. It definitely says Longbranch and a MM/YY date from 66 (If I remember correctly) It is in never issued condition and the finish looks to be Parkerized.

Ivan

There is a single "tool-room" example of a carbine built on a No.4 Mk1* in a collection in Canada. The "official" No.5 carbines were built from 1944 to 1947. The Santa Fe Corporation shortened numerous No.4 rifles to a format very similar to the No.5. Apparently they were far more saleable than the original No.4s back in the day.

I think they were also responsible for the carbine versions of the Indian 2A and 2A1 rifles in 7.62 NATO. Treat those with suspicion. My buddy has one and the headspace is best measured with a thick book.

Here's a write up I found online. The really neat one with pictures appears to have disappeared from the Web.

ENFIELD FAKES