Is a sporterized NRF marked No1 Mk3* worth restoring?

S

Silverplate

Member
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
BC
I recently got a sporterized No1 Mk3* parts rifle that had some action issues.

It is a NRF marked peddle scheme rifle made in 1918. The bolt, receiver, and barrel serial numbers match and the bore is in good condition. The fore stock has been cut down, the butt stock replaced, and it is missing the barrel bands, nose cap, swivels, and upper wood. The metal has not been touched.

I was able to fix the issues so the rifle it is now a functional sporter. I know that the NRF marked rifles are of some interest to Enfield collectors and am wondering if their rare enough to justify the cost in restoring it to its original configuration.

I don't mind taking on a project rifle if there is enough history to make it worth while and I know it will never again be "original" in collecting terms so I would like to hear from someone familiar with peddle scheme rifles.

So, is it worth the trouble to restore it or should I leave it as is.


Silverplate.
 
Friend, ANYTHING made by the National Rifle Factory is worth taking some pains with.

They built only 2% of the ENGLISH-made Lee-Enfields during the Great War, none in the Second. Altogether, they are less than ONE percent of production.

I have been collecting SMLE rifles for a long time (although on a most-limited budget for much of that time) and currently I have TWO NRF rifles: one was used during the Second War as an experimental test-bed, the other is completely original..... and it shoots like a dream: an honest 1-1/4 MOA rifle.

Yes, it is worth restoring, but do it carefully and do it the right way. Lots of help here to get it right.

You might also drop over to milsurps dot com, take out a FREE membership there and take a careful look at the one featured in the MKL (Military Knowledge Library). They have a complete "photo tour" of one of these in pristine condition. They also have manuals and Armourer's manuals for working on these. You can't go wrong with what they offer... and it's all free.

You have just become a member of a VERY small club.

Welcome aboard!
 
Thanks smellie.

I will put the rifle aside for a restoration project. In the mean time, I'll keep my eye open for the correct parts.

Silverplate
 
If you do something that you enjoy doing, then never question if it is worth doing. I #### with rifles as a hobby. It sure isn't worth it beyond the fact that it gives me great pleasure.
 
The proper metal for an NRF is easy to come by. If its matching numbers an un numbered Enfield marked nose cap and all the other missing metal bits matching would make it as close to how it was when it was first built as you can get. That part of it only took me a few weeks and about $100. British built wood is another story. Mine was FTR'd at BSA in '53 so I allowed for basically any British built wood. Still took me a year and $150 to get the stock, and I've been two months restoring the w
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom