OK, So I got a LE N0 1 MK III SMLE. Is it worth restoring? Where to start?

mlehtovaara

mlehtovaara

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So as far as I can tell this thing is in amazing condition. No rust or pitting at all from my initial inspection, although haven't taken it apart yet. The bore looks like it is brand new, and never seen any corrosive ammo, or at least taken care of well.

Shoots well, or at least was putting shots within a couple inches at 50m, and I am not at all good with irons, yet. ;)

The butsttock wood is very nice, and the forend seems to have been matched very well with some nice wood, making a pretty nice sporter, but what would it take to fit an original forend?

Something about making this into a piece of history rather than just a rifle seems to be interesting me these days so I might be willing to spend some money and time on a project but depends what I am looking at.

So where can I find some wood, and small parts, and what would it cost me?

P.S. I am working on pics.
 
You can get the small parts from Marstar or Tradex but they are out of stock on a number of items.Numrich in the states has a larger assortment of parts including wood but be prepared to pay a export fee and possibly customs charges.I was lucky and bought a full unissued walnut stock set from Ellwood Epps for $115.00 but they are out of stock now.My last restoration of a No.1 MkIII*cost me around $550.00,but it was a badly Bubba'ed sporter that looks pristine now.Will I ever get my money back?Not likely.
 
But there IS an enormous amount of satisfaction in taking a despised "lousy old .303" and making it, once again, into what it started off as: the finest manually-operated bolt rifle ever produced.

Then, when you take her to the range and get her barking........ and then you get her on target....... and then you hunker down with the sandbags........ and you realise that that lousy old .303 can keep up with almost anything built today...... and that the barrel will last twice to 4 times as long as most modern rifles....... that's when you realise that you got a great deal.

And she's The Real Thing: been there, done that, her and her sisters, from Alamein to Cairo, Benghazi to Cassino, Dunkirk to the Reichswald, Ypres to Cambrai, Gaza to Armageddon to Damascus and a lot of places in between. You have met History in the solid and, better yet, it's YOURS.

Pretty hard feeling to beat.

Is it worth it? I think so.




BTW, Marstar supposedly will have their wood sorted around Christmas: several thousand sets, new and used, of the real stuff, curing quietly for 65 to 95 years, waiting for a home.
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I can't wait!

Re refurbing: yup it' worth it! If the metal is good and non modified. And whe you get started: when in doubt, ask questions!
 
Pics:

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No foot in the pictures? You're doing it wrong!

My dad has one like that, I will inherit it someday. Front sight appears different though. Would this be a Parker Hale sporter, or is there any way to know for sure?
 
You have an excellent bases for a restoration. It's all number matched; in excellent condition and was British proofed so headspacing and all components should be good. Regardless I've have it checked out by a competent person. This most likely was an sporter conversion by Parker Hale as forestock is not a cut down military.

Restoration is very satisfying. You can shop around for a good wood set and metal parts....I've done many....you're looking at approx $400 for unissued wood and metal. You can save on labour if you can do the work yourself. You can purchase for slightly less however the wood/metal will be well used and may not complement the rifle.

You'll get lots of advice here.

Good luck with the project.
 
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