MkIII* restoration

[Scnitzelmahn]

Got this Lee Enfeild no 1 Mk III* yesterday. It's a 1942 lithgow that has been sporterized.

I aim to restore it back to military configuration. Looking at refinishing the stock - removing the current finish, redoing it with linseed oil ( I believe this is what they originally used), maybe do some polishing and reblueing.

And advice you might have would be greatly appreciated!

 

[boltonscouter]

Well if you want to restore to full military configuration you'll need a new forestck & upper hand guard. I wouldn't bother stripping & oiling the forend you have as you won't use it. The Butt stock you might be able to reuse if the colour/wood etc matches whatever new forestock you get. Might be easiest to just buy a full set of matching wood. Won't be cheap!

 

[Cottage Hill Bill]

Polishing and rebluing is a step backwards if you're trying to restore the rifle. It wasn't blued to start with. The metal actually looks pretty good as is. All the wood needs replaced. The buttstock has been heavily sanded.

 

[Scnitzelmahn]

ok so don't bother with the metal finish....

Also any tips for getting the striker screw off? Mine is stuck - tried vices, different screwdrivers, torches....etc.

And I will restore the sporterized stock as a test - I've never restored a stock and it would be a good test piece. As for the stock, it looks fine, but the hardware is missing - seen pictures of wooden repairs instead of the brass disk - which is correct? also worth restoring as a stopgap until i get all the proper parts.