Restorable LE MK III....what is preferred?

[Ed Smurf]

Lots of LE sporters out there, but are there some more desireable than others? What is preferred for restoration, other than the furniture?

 

[dannyd123]

No drill and tap. Matching bolt/ barrel/reciever is sometimes preffered, although IMHO if shes restored, it is impossible to number match everything (nose cap, perhaps mag). That will give away that yours is restored anyways so IMHO the bolt numbering doesnt need to match. People can argue all they like about headspace but in my experience the bolts from mismatched rifles were on par and sometimes had better headspace than matched rifles.

 

[Dyspnea]

Im pretty much the same, no drill and taps or other reciever modifications, matching numbers (barrel, reciever, bolt and sometimes the sights), original barrel length and good quality bore.

 

[Ed Smurf]

Im pretty much the same, no drill and taps or other reciever modifications, matching numbers (barrel, reciever, bolt and sometimes the sights), original barrel length and good quality bore.

Bolt is mismatched by just 10 numbers. 1916 BSA MK III.
And where can I find the reference to check my LE? Pics?, or link.

 

[louthepou]

a 1916 BSA may be a Mk3 with no "*", check to see if it has this little star or not - on the right side of the receiver.

If it has a really nice bore and can be restored to the no-star pattern, it's bonus points.

Typically, what the others said is what I also look for. Lots of No1Mk3* sporters out there so you can be picky and wait for a really nice bore.

 

[Frost Cracked]

Agree with the others. Good reciever without a lot of pitting rust or drill holes. Barrel quality is a must. Uncut and nice crisp rifling that hasn't been shot to heck.

Wood quality on a restoration job is irrelevant, depending on how much work you want to do or money you want to spend. Wood is still available and is still out there to replace cut or damaged parts.

 

[JTF#]

I look for ones without the import stamp.

 

[HarryD]

Where does all the used wood on the market come from?

 

[louthepou]

Numrich gun parts, sarco inc, liberty tree collectors, ebay and other.sources. Some of the stuff is newly manufactured i believe.

 

[HarryD]

But where do these sellers get their supplies of wood from if its not newly manufactured or NOS surplus?

 

[tiriaq]

It helps if the original butt and buttplate are unmolested.
Some sporters still have the rear sight guard and rear handguard.
Generally speaking, if the barrelled action is rough, restoration is a waste of time and money.

 

[Pblatzz]

^ this,....

 

[Ed Smurf]

Bolt is mismatched by just 10 numbers. 1916 BSA MK III.
And where can I find the reference to check my LE? Pics?, or link.

Just noticed, same s/n on sights as receiver. So this would be original sight I presume?