Ishapore restoration

[bang_on_sk]

I just picked up a 1929 Ishapore no1mk 111, sans bolt or magazine. The metal is in pretty good shape, but the rear hand guard had been cracked and repaired, and the front hand guard had been replaced with something cobbled out of a no4mk1 (I think).

Is this something that's worth restoring, or not really?

I'll try to get pictures up.

 

[m39a2]

For the record, there were more Indian made No 1 MK III rifles issued to British troops during WWI and possibility WWII than English made rifles. I think the cost of restoration of your rifle will be more than it's ultimate worth.

I'm not telling you not to, restoration is always fun but some of the pitfalls you will face for one, the bolt, No1's did not have interchangeable bolt heads to set the headspace as did the No4 series. The barrels and bolts where matched to the receivers so you will have to "Try fit" a number of complete bolts until you get one of an acceptable headspace. Very time consuming and possibly expensive.

There are lots of complete No 1's around, keep looking, you will find one for less than the cost possible of your restoration.

Scott

 

[bang_on_sk]

 

[Claven2]

I think the cost of restoration of your rifle will be more than it's ultimate worth.

Not sure I agree. If all it needs is a bolt, mag and front handguard - that't not a lot to fix. Decent non-awful No.1's are climbing in price dramatically. Most gun shops scrapped dozens of SMLEs when the gun registry came out. People did not want to spend $20 to register rusted-bore goal anchor sporters. Hell, several worn out barrelled action became re-bar substitute in my Dad's garage foundation.

At my local shop there are literally dozens of stray SMLE bolts and heads to try and get a good fit. Same will be true of any shop that was around since the 80's.

Most expensive piece to fins will probably be the mag.

 

[bang_on_sk]

Most expensive piece to fins will probably be the mag.

I have a magazine kicking around already. I'll have to see if I can find a bolt at the lgs. The front handguard isn't too bad, but they stained it instead of blo. That I can fix for sure, the fit isn't great anyway.

I guess it'll depend on how cheap I can get a bolt that works.

 

[RifleDude]

I just picked up a 1929 Ishapore no1mk 111, sans bolt or magazine. The metal is in pretty good shape, but the rear hand guard had been cracked and repaired, and the front hand guard had been replaced with something cobbled out of a no4mk1 (I think).

Is this something that's worth restoring, or not really?

I'll try to get pictures up.

Front and rear handguards are available from Marstar https://www.marstar.ca/dynamic/category.jsp?catid=78347 You may be able to get a bolt from Numrich in US.

 

[samsplacci71]

FWIW, I think it's worthwhile. I love my 1945 Ishapore. Traded a nice K98 RC for it. Glad I made the trade, as it's an excellent shooter and quite accurate. I would love to get it to Winona once the range has been repaired and get it out to 600m.

 

[5THBATT]

For the record, there were more Indian made No 1 MK III rifles issued to British troops during WWI and possibility WWII than English made rifles.

Where did you get this from????
One BIG problem with this statement is ....... Where are they all now? if they were issued in anywhere near the numbers you are claiming there would be plenty of WW1 Ishapores to go around but they seem to be rare, very rare!!

I would say a 1929 Ishapore is well worth restoring as any pre WW2 Ishapore is rare as Ishapore reworked rifles more than anyone else & would often scrub the original markings, i have been after a WW1 Ishapore for years but cannot find one, i have only ever seen one in the "flesh" but it had been poorly sporterized, closest to WW1 i have is a 1927 MkIII.