Hi folks,
Just finished rebuilding a SMLE No1Mk3* for a fellow gunnut and given I've rebuilt three or four over the past few years with duplicated stocks, thought I could share a bit about that work.
My main goal here is to help anyone considering going that route to "desporterize" a SMLE understand that this is the most time consuming way to end up with a nice and complete No1Mk3.
And by that, I mean: there is a lot, and I repeat, a LOT of work needed.
The rear of the forend needs to be fitted. It also requires installation of the reinforcing pin or screw at the back to prevent splitting. The recoil draws of course need to be fitted. The channels for the rear handguard spring clip too. And all the barrel channel needs work - more than the usual bedding stuff. The part of the forend that receives the front nose cap needs work. The area that receives the trigger guard needs fitting. And so on.
Then, the rear handguard often requires install of the retaining "clip". That on its own is a bit of a pain, but with the proper brass rivets, it is doable (try sourcing these rivets, and get back to me about that). The front metal tab on the front handguard requires work.
Fitting the buttplate on the buttstock is an interesting piece of work too. I mean, so many curves in all axis, so, it needs time and care.
And, most of the time, the outside surfaces of all the stock parts are "oversize", they need final shaping to be correct, and matching to one another.
That's just a quick glance at the work needed, but I hope this does convey the idea that we are not talking about a few hours of work for a good job here, more like a couple dozens of hours.
BUT!
The result is usually quite nice.
Lou
Just finished rebuilding a SMLE No1Mk3* for a fellow gunnut and given I've rebuilt three or four over the past few years with duplicated stocks, thought I could share a bit about that work.
My main goal here is to help anyone considering going that route to "desporterize" a SMLE understand that this is the most time consuming way to end up with a nice and complete No1Mk3.
And by that, I mean: there is a lot, and I repeat, a LOT of work needed.
The rear of the forend needs to be fitted. It also requires installation of the reinforcing pin or screw at the back to prevent splitting. The recoil draws of course need to be fitted. The channels for the rear handguard spring clip too. And all the barrel channel needs work - more than the usual bedding stuff. The part of the forend that receives the front nose cap needs work. The area that receives the trigger guard needs fitting. And so on.
Then, the rear handguard often requires install of the retaining "clip". That on its own is a bit of a pain, but with the proper brass rivets, it is doable (try sourcing these rivets, and get back to me about that). The front metal tab on the front handguard requires work.
Fitting the buttplate on the buttstock is an interesting piece of work too. I mean, so many curves in all axis, so, it needs time and care.
And, most of the time, the outside surfaces of all the stock parts are "oversize", they need final shaping to be correct, and matching to one another.
That's just a quick glance at the work needed, but I hope this does convey the idea that we are not talking about a few hours of work for a good job here, more like a couple dozens of hours.
BUT!
The result is usually quite nice.
Lou
