Restoring an old warhorse (.303 British )

[Redbearded1]

So I've picked up a couple of lee enfield no.4 mk1 .303's recently for $200. One is stamped 1944 and is in pretty good shape. The other, stamped 1945, has been sporterized/ butchered and is in pretty rough shape.

After taking the good one apart for a good cleaning/ inspection I've decided it could use a bit of work to spruce it up. As many projects go with me, the more I do, the more I decide to take on and what started as just a thorough cleaning has spiraled into restoring the gun as much as I can.

Being an old war rifle though, I wouldn't mind keeping some of the "character" of the gun( dents, dings scratches) while giving it a new luster.
I was wondering what some more experienced folks thoughts would be on restoring a firearm in this manner. Keeping the guns originality and character while refinishing the stock, cleaning rust, and rebluing the metal parts. Is it better to just spend the time and fix the imperfections?

Any thoughts, advice or opinions would be very welcomed.

 

[egg250]

I'm not sure I'd touch it, other than to repair/replace parts necessary to ensure safe shooting.

 

[earlthegoat2]

You want to fix the imperfections but keep some of the character.....? Hmmmm

 

[Mauser lover]

I would leave the original one as is, and take the bubba'd one and make it look like a pristine 1945 rifle, just as it was issued. As long as the barrel hasn't been chopped....

 

[lefteyedom]

you got the best of both going. Restore the "Good" to as issued. Then take the "Bubba" and build it into the best, prettiest hunting rifle possible. Then to two can juxtapose themselves beautifully.
Plowshares to swords and swords to plowshares...

Have fun

 

[One_Jackal]

Just wipe the furniture down with Old English Scratch Remover or linseed oil. It will restore the luster of the stock without damaging the original finish. Wait 2 or 3 days between coats. Both products are very slow to dry. Repeated use without allowing the product to dry will make the wood punky or soft.

Don't use acetone or other strong chemicals on the finish of your rifle. It will look real clean but it won't look over 60 years old. Take your time, clean the metal with WD-40. WD-40 does a better job of removing cosmoline and other preservatives than people think. Anything that will wipe away road tar must be a good cleaner. Clean the wood as I just described.