Hey! I inherited a MKIII Lee Enfield sporterized from my grandfather. The gun is a tank and is in great shape. I have contemplated for years what I could do to restore it to full original wood. Anyone have any experience with this? Pointers? Positives? Negatives? Cautions?
Inherited a Lee Enfield Sporterized - I'd like to restore
- Thread starter coryqc
- Start date
Cost to rebuild is getting close to an original. Cost probably isn’t a factor as it has ties to the family. I rebuild them for fun. Multiple places you can get parts. Many auctions in Canada and over seas that have parts. eBay has a lot of parts from different countries. Marstar has a few parts. In the US Sarco and Numerich. No place is going to have all the parts available so multiple orders from different places. Original wood can be found be it takes time waiting for it to show up. Reproduction wood can be bought from Prestigious Wood stocks in Alberta. I have bought forestocks from them and they are excellent. No place sells complete parts kits. A lot of the fun for me is in the search for parts. I search and buy parts ahead. I have found a lot of deals on cheaper parts by buying in bulk. If you want to build one I say go for it. First one is a learning experience.
johnny the boy
CGN Regular
- Location
- Parts Unknown
Yes take your time and enjoy the history and rebuild process.Folks on this site will be glad to help you out.Above info is spot on.
If you want to see how many parts may be involved and one source, go to w.ww.leeenfieldsparesandmilitaria.uk.com. Prices are in British pounds, and the cost of a complete rebuild set might bring a tear to your eye. Nevertheless, it will give you an idea of what you might be undertaking.
Joe Amorosi
CGN Regular
- Location
- Not Where I Thought I Was....
First thing to check is the barrel length on your sporter.
If it's been cut down, forget it.
If it's been cut down, forget it.
Go to our mil surp section under Enfields and you should be able to find pictures of mine and other peoples rebuilds. One of my latest one. Long branch 1945. All Canadian except for the forestock which is a reproduction from Prestigious Wood stocks.
Attachments
Welcome, new guy. As Snider shooter says, go look in the Milsurp forum for guidance. Post a thread there with some pics of what you have and there are many here who can tell you what needs to be changed to get back to original or as close as you can.
Mark
One option would be to acquire one of the Indian DP rifles, and strip it for its stock set and fittings. Catch is, these tend to be pretty battered and are likely to have damage to the wood, apart from being thoroughly oil and grease soaked. In the US, they sold for $100 - $125; for some reason here they seem to push $400.
Something else to consider...
As is, the rifle is the way your Grandfather used it. Rebuild it to issue configuration, and it is a representative specimen, but it is no longer your Grandfather's rifle.
Something else to consider...
As is, the rifle is the way your Grandfather used it. Rebuild it to issue configuration, and it is a representative specimen, but it is no longer your Grandfather's rifle.
Exactly my first thoughts.
You want a complete Enfield #4, buy one, and it will be cheaper than a restauration.
Best of all, your grandfathers rifle will have some company.
