US Property Enfields

[JesseXXX]

Couple questions my friends….

I got 2 US Property Enfields….

Here’s what I noticed….. one is the longer than the other (about 1 inch or so)…. Also, one has a “special” finish…like “parkerized” or something very similar….. both are in “pristine” condition including the barrel… they look super shiny….

1 serial number has a “D” under the number… the other a letter “B”…. both have the little flaming bomb too…...

Any info or a link that has info would be really appreciated…. :O)

Jesse!

[mj1]

Made by Savage Arms in NY.

Under contract to the British. Sme of best made #4's.

[JesseXXX]

Thanks MJ1

So.... these are really good collectables...? These are in great shape....I cleaned them up....re-did the stocks... I have the "pig sticker" spikes and they both have slings on them.... but as I stated...one seems "parkerized" and one is "shorter"....

Any links with great info buddy.....?

Jesse!

[whatever]

Measure their buttstocks and I believe that's where you will find the length difference. Enfield's come in 3 different buttstock lengths Short, Normal and Long.

There were more Savages made than any other maker I belive and they were also one of the highest quality (no bombs were being dropped on Stevens/Savage during the war).

Don't modify them and they will go up in value.

[JesseXXX]

Thanks.....

All I did is cleaned them up really well.... re-did the stocks and that's it....I'm not tweaking them at all...

Is there any site that has extensive info....? Like serial numbers production data and such.... the bores are bright and shiny...this saturday I'm taking them out to the range....

[Zwingli]

This is a site I found when I got my enfields. http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/

However, a lot of the info is in books or you have to pick it up in forums.

[pogo]

How'd you redo the stocks, did you simply apply BLO?

GeneM on Gunboards was doing a survey of Savage Enfield serial numbers, if I find a link I'll post it.

[JesseXXX]

The stocks....

The stock "procedure":

The wood was was washed with very hot water.... then cleaned (used simple green very watered down).... then let them dry and washed them again.... super hot water.... then dryed them.... sanded them down good (diffrent grades of sand paper)..... did 3 "sessions" of staining.... then dryed them again....urathane base coat (sorry if misspelled)....steel wool, and light urathane top coat..and that's it.... the stocks came out AWESOME.... I'll be shooting this weekend at Burro Caynon....just look for an ALL black 1994 Impala SS

[icormba]

The stock "procedure":

The wood was was washed with very hot water.... then cleaned (used simple green very watered down).... then let them dry and washed them again.... super hot water.... then dryed them.... sanded them down good (diffrent grades of sand paper)..... did 3 "sessions" of staining.... then dryed them again....urathane base coat (sorry if misspelled)....steel wool, and light urathane top coat..and that's it.... the stocks came out AWESOME.... I'll be shooting this weekend at Burro Caynon....just look for an ALL black 1994 Impala SS

To a "true" collector... this process removes/decreases all "collect-ability requirements" and "value". But if you plan to keep them for yourself... you are ok and what anyone else says shouldn't matter .

I do some of the same cleaning except for the sandpaper part and I'll use Tung Oil or BLO depending on country of orgin or how light or dark I want the stocks... I plan to keep all mine until I'm gone.

[JesseXXX]

Yup....

I'm keeping mine too...... My next BIG purchase is an M1 or M1A

[Fate]

Sandpaper, stain and urethane...ouch. You know that's just like wiping your butt with $20 bills.

[JesseXXX]

Yeah.....

They came out really nice..... but next ones I'm getting (any C&R rifles) just doing a light clean up and leaving the as is...

What IS the correct procedure bdgfate...? I will post some images soon.....

[Fate]

What IS the correct procedure bdgfate...? I will post some images soon.....

For collectibility and maximum value, leave the stock alone. Very gentle/light cleaning of grime if absolutely needed (cosmoline is a slightly different situation yet still only requires heat and time to remove), but sanding and adding a non-period correct finish to a stock absolutely KILLS any collector value, hence my rude comment.

In one post you said you "didn't tweak the stock at all" and in another you describe sanding, staining and adding polyurethane...which would be "tweaking" in most people's book. At least you didn't hand checker the wood or paint it in camo too.

I really wasn't trying to piss you off, just make a point, especially when you went to the trouble to select a US Property Savage Enfield.

Here's my matching, non import marked US Property Savage.

[JesseXXX]

Very Nice Enfield

No worries buddy, thanks for the pointers.... all the numbers match on my Enfields too.. so the next one I get just "lightly" clean it up..? I refinished my stocks or myself......they came out great.... I plan on keeping them and never selling them..... I can hardly wait to shoot em'.....