Porter Baldridge Page 9
ammo is boxer primed and loaded with nitrocellulose powder. This
ammo is head stamped DA for Dominion Arsenal, and IVI for an
arsenal in Quebec. There is not much of this ammo left, so don't
expect to find a whole lot of it.
On reloading for these rifles, get a set of neck sizing dies, and do not
shoot maximum loads. This way your brass will last, and your 50 or
75 year old rifle will also last. The way these rifles are throated, the
Remington 180 grain Round Nose bullet is a great performer, and
quite accurate.
If you need accessories, Northridge, Woodhaven, SARCO, GPC,
Victoria Trading, and Springfield Sporters have slings, action covers,
bayonets, oilers, aiming coach devices, etc. Comparison shop as
there is quite a variation in price for the same stuff, and one outfit is not
across the board cheaper than the others. Northridge and Woodhaven
have the original slings and action covers for $5 a piece. These are in
very good condition, I know this as I have bought some of them. If you
get some slings that look like they went through a muddy, dirty war,
they can be well cleaned with sneaker cleaning compound, mine
comes in an aerosol can and is made by NORDYKE Laboratories,
Ventura, CA. It works well on all British canvas or woven goods.
These slings come in four colors. Light blue for the RAF, white for the
Royal Navy, and green or khaki for the British Army. Khaki I believe
is pre-war, and green is wartime production.
The best deals are from Springfield Sporters followed by
GPC and SARCO. Victoria Trading has brand new wood for NO.4's
including all lengths of butt stocks, and a full listing of parts for all
SMLEs, though they are pricey.
NO.4 MKI wood will fit the NO.4 MKII rifle with the exception of the
forearm. It is cut different and inletted different in the rear end to
accommodate the new trigger regime.
Black VHT paint baked on the rifle parts and actions will give a correct
finish. Bake at 275-300 degrees. Make sure you use gloss, or at least
semi gloss paint. I use BBQ grill black paint for the bands, swivels,
nosecaps, etc. These items do not look good shiny.
I bake this paint as well, 300 degrees for 30-45 minutes. On the parts
that are blued, screws, pins, sights, etc. I use BROWNELLS
DICORPAN. Either the paste, or the liquid. I use it as cold blue. It
is
very durable, and it looks right. After the last treatment to get the color
© Porter Baldridge 1996 All rights reserved.