Back in the 1990's, 25 years ago, I picked up an old 303 Lee Enfield, 1917 Enfield built no.1 mk 3, in the closing minutes of a gun show for a price I couldn't refuse. Back in those days I seldom missed a local gun show in hopes of finding that special pre-64 Winchester, M70, M12 etc. The last gun on my list was an old 303 Lee Enfield. I grew up seeing those Lee Enfields in the racks at the Hasting Street Army and Navy. By the mid 1960's most of the good ones had been picked through for re-stocked custom hunting rifles. Most of the rifles left were rode hard and put up wet. I seemed to remember a price tag of $15.
My gun show find of 25 years ago has sat untouched and unloved in the rear of my gun safe. With this covid crap I was needing a project so I pulled out the old Lee Enfield rifle. Numbers all matched, very nice bore with sharp rifling 5/16" margin with bullet in the muzzle test, excellent headspace.
It had a custom roll-over stock that was over done and just plain ugly so I re-shaped it and did a refinish on the stock and forened. It was already drilled for a scope base so I dressed down and fitted a scope base and mounted a decent 3x9 scope. Removed the front and rear sight assemblies and here it is.
My gun show find of 25 years ago has sat untouched and unloved in the rear of my gun safe. With this covid crap I was needing a project so I pulled out the old Lee Enfield rifle. Numbers all matched, very nice bore with sharp rifling 5/16" margin with bullet in the muzzle test, excellent headspace.
It had a custom roll-over stock that was over done and just plain ugly so I re-shaped it and did a refinish on the stock and forened. It was already drilled for a scope base so I dressed down and fitted a scope base and mounted a decent 3x9 scope. Removed the front and rear sight assemblies and here it is.
