#4 wood

[EO1]

I know that beech was a very common wood to stock #4s, but was birch ever utilized ?

[Parashooter]

Yes, especially on North American production. I also suspect the handguards on my No.4 Mk.2 - and perhaps some others I've seen - are birch. They're definitely not beech, but could be either birch or maple. Hard to tell the difference when straight-grained and finished.

[Rick the Librarian]

Here's my Maltby No. 4 Mk. I. I'm guessing the stock (not the buttstock) is beech?

http://www.fototime.com/7FB29105E0A8245/standard.jpg

[M2Phil]

Yes birch was used on No.4 rifles, as stated above.

[Bill Wylde]

I'm in the midst of putting together a No 4 with a new barrel. The stocking is slowing things down a bit, as I've not stocked a standard No 4 since getting one ready for the 100th Canadian Nationals in 1982. When done with this one, I hope to take photos of the stocking. The butt will be 1/8" vertical laminations and the upper handguards will be 3/8" horizontal. The forestock will be beautiful birdseye maple. Among all this Canadian wood there will be Birch somewhere???