K31- Silk purse from sow's ear

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redleg

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I had one rifle arrive here with a really nice bore, and originally a very nice stock, but it appears that it had taken a beating during it's service life. It was without a doubt the worst of the rifles received here, so I thought I would try a little restoration project.

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I first removed the original finish with poly stripa, then spent some time steaming out the numerous dents and bruises. Then a little sanding with 220 grit and finishing with 440 grit paper. I took care to preserve the cartouche.
Final oil finish was not original, but looked nice. I was truely amazed at how nice the wood was underneath the grime, and how many of the dings steamed out .

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I can hardly wait to shoot it.
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Beautiful job! I did the same to one of those "unfired" Long Branch Lee Enfields (1950 dated) that I used to have. A steam iron and a damp cloth do wonders on compression dents, and even fairly serious divots can be minimized, if not removed completely. Kudos to you!
 
well the swiss did it themselves (refurbs) so why not...plus they never went into battle so theres no real history to maintain. If everybody starts doing it though...that would be not so good
 
Our gunsmith here has a couple real bubba jobs. Replacement heavy barrel, targte stock, diopter sights, match trigger. I look at this as more of a beautification project.
 
Howdy

If you want to give it a shellac finish like the real thing, visit your local home depot and get a can of ZINSSER Bulls Eye Shellac, Amber colour. It's the easiest way to give it the authentic look, without a lot of work. Just check to bottom of the can for the date. I'm told if it's older then 3 years it's NFG.

Also when you use it, if you do to many coats, you will make it as smooth as a baby's back side, not very authentic:p and the more coats the more apt you are to get a run that you did not see till it's to late. The stuff dries real fast.

Sticker
 
Nice Job Sir. Was trying mine out last night and the sling on the butt stock sure gets in the way for a decent cheek weld.How did the Swiss do it? Pretty hard to shoot from the shoulder and leave your face on the butt stock like the Enfield as well.Oh well,guess I got spoiled.Later
 
I had heard stories about the Swiss using the but as a hammer to drive tent stakes, but I din't really believe any army would permit that until now. Wow! That butstock was obviously used as a stake hammer. Nice job!
 
paulz said:
I had heard stories about the Swiss using the but as a hammer to drive tent stakes, but I din't really believe any army would permit that until now. Wow! That butstock was obviously used as a stake hammer. Nice job!
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U kiddin?! the one he refinished looked nicer then 90% of the ones on the US market! They woulda been happy to have something like that. He did a good job getting the dings out but it lacks the punch it had before imho :)

Was it a police gun james, or just military one?
 
9mm-Suppository said:
U kiddin?! the one he refinished looked nicer then 90% of the ones on the US market! They woulda been happy to have something like that. He did a good job getting the dings out but it lacks the punch it had before imho :)

Was it a police gun james, or just military one?
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Lucern Police tag under butt plate.
 
Both the Enfield series and the Swiss rifles have a stock design that is designed for standing trench firing from fixed positions. I have a cheek rest on both my .22 and .308 Enfields to get proper cheek support.

Scott
 
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