Hi all,

Someone cut off the bayonet lugs and drilled some holes in the left side of the receiver for a possible scope mount. The original collector value has been deminshed by quit a bit.

What would your intent be for the rifle ? Just a shooter or an investment ?

Shame as it otherwise looks decent but even with a new barrel , not cheap  to do or find,  the holes are another problem.

Good luck with this problem.

As MJ11 has indicated,  the barrel has been cut back past the bayonet lugs for whatever reasoning the previous owner had in mind for at the time. The other issue is the holes drilled into the reciever. Very possibly for an aftermarket scope mount. In its current condition,  I would step away from it and let someone else deal with it. That is my opinion alone. Everything else on the rifle looks to be in fair condition but, looks can be deceiving...

In the some places they call it being Bubba'd, a previous owner wanted it modified for some reason. 

Than is a real shame. Now it just the sum of the parts and down there the barrel in the regulated item not the receiver so the hoops to get a new barrel is like going through all the trouble to buy another rifle.

I don't know Australian pricing being in the U.S. but here a "complete" one sells for about US$650.00 in good condition.

A rifle that's been modified to the point it can no longer be practically restored (like yours has) is worth about U.S. $150 in the same condition.

It may be a perfectly good shooter, but its severely devalued.

If you can get it for a suitable price & its still a good shooter, then its worth a shot.

Many Lee Enfields had "cord worn" bores from improper cleaning & so the muzzle was cropped to get rid of the badly worn part at the muzzle!

 You could check out the price of a new barrel from T-Bone Smith. He stocks the German made Lothar Walter barrels for the No4 rifles.

I believe it was Peter Laidler who sleeved a barrel stub under the front sight ears . The stub had about .020" over bore and the shorted barrel was crowned. Not sure if they shot it much or it was a just for display in the UK. Peter is a wizard with turning things and the proof is blending several #32 scope tubes into one working unit. Roger Payne is also pretty good at it too. But just the shipping 3/4 of the way around the world would cost as much as a new barrel.

I would also pass on this job.

Drilling and tapping was/ or is quite common here for a particular Aussie made telescope mount.

My own #4 has it done.

PM me the details Moisy as I may be interested. My own #4 is an Envoy and I could use a shortened #4

I'm seriously impressed at the level of knowledge and enthusiasm of folks on this forum. 

I guess I'll keep looking. What I really want is a No.5 - "jungle carbine" - because it would be perfect for my style of hunting in the thick bush and at short-ish ranges. But they go for drug money here in Oz.

Cheers,

A Square, The Santa Fe stuff is pretty hard to find in Oz. 

The more I think about it, the more I reckon I buy a sound but not necessarily spectacular looking No.4 and then either restore the timber, or cut it down to a 20 inch barrel but keep the wood on it - my own custom hunting rifle!

It is unfortunate that I live in Phoenix Arizona then Moisy.

I actually have both, a Santa Fe No5 with the aftermarket No32 scope mount assembly and an actual No5Mk1. Both are collecting dust currently. 

It may save you money as well. 

It is unfortunate that I live in Phoenix Arizona then Moisy.

I actually have both, a Santa Fe No5 with the aftermarket No32 scope mount assembly and an actual No5Mk1. Both are collecting dust currently. Goosic that is a real shame. Wish I could get my hands on that No. 5! 

Does anybody know if one could fit a No.5 barrel to a No.4 - with the wood suitably cut down, of course. A kind of clayton's No.5. It would be purely a shooter, but might fit the bill nicely for a handy dandy bush rifle.

Thanks for the advice SW28fan; probably cheaper too. Have found a dealer here in Oz who buys Enfields up from collections, estates, etc, and sells at very reasonable prices. Will just start with a decent but standard No.4 and see what happens from there.