Shandwick Engineering's deLisle replica

KotKotofeich

KotKotofeich

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I think this deserves a separate thread...

This story got posted today the fire arm blog . com/blog/2017/02/17/delisle-carbine-replica/ - looks like this Shandwick Engineering has product ready to go...

Is there a FRT for the deLisle or does it just fall under the Lee Enfield frt? If the latter then we probably don't even need an importer to bring them in for us - just order directly with a fake suppressor?
 
I heard from Shandwick this morning that they are building two samples (fake suppressor) to test the market at a low low price of <cringe> 2950GBP (+vat +I'm sure export costs). As much as I want one, my gun budget is quite tapped out... But just letting folks here know that if it's something you really wanted and your tax refund is burning a hole in your pocket (I'm impressed that people get tax refunds - I never do...) - get in touch with them :)
 
For $4,200 canadian i will happily build you delisle carbines (unsilenced of course) all day long.

There i just saved you $300 canadian in currency conversion, and i'll ship for free so that will save you another $1000 canadian...
 
Maybe you should build one ;) Do you actually have something to show that's comparable to what Shandwick makes? Last guy I spoke with in Canada about it only made one for himself and his plans to make more stayed just that - plans.

I'm happy to pay for someone to do the work provided it's done well - I can even supply a lot of the parts, the issue is quality and accuracy of the reproduction.
 
I've just started working on a pair of Delisle reproductions. Picked up a pair of #1 mk 3 sporters, and have just removed the barrels. Purchased a pair of Thompson machine gun barrels. But the conversion requires a fair bit of machining. The actions need to be opened up in order to accomodate the new barrels, i think I'll end up making a holding fixture to do this. Of course the barrels themselves need to be turned down and re-threaded. Bolt and firing pin need to be shortened. Extractor needs to be modified, and ejector changed. Then of course the faux suppressor made along with sights. And the woodwork done.

So a lot of work, and thats one of the reasons the reproductions cost so much. And is also the reason why a number of reproductions are done not setting the barrel back in the action as it should be.
 
KotKotofeich said:
Maybe you should build one ;) Do you actually have something to show that's comparable to what Shandwick makes? Last guy I spoke with in Canada about it only made one for himself and his plans to make more stayed just that - plans.

I'm happy to pay for someone to do the work provided it's done well - I can even supply a lot of the parts, the issue is quality and accuracy of the reproduction.
Click to expand...

I have several MkIII enfields, a full size drawing, & access to the internet... ;-) Royal Armouries have detailed disassembled photos available.

Send me 2 or 3 cheques and I will start buying barrel blanks...

You won't get a 10" barrel though, it will be around 16"
 
Fargone4sure said:
I've just started working on a pair of Delisle reproductions. Picked up a pair of #1 mk 3 sporters, and have just removed the barrels. Purchased a pair of Thompson machine gun barrels. But the conversion requires a fair bit of machining. The actions need to be opened up in order to accomodate the new barrels, i think I'll end up making a holding fixture to do this. Of course the barrels themselves need to be turned down and re-threaded. Bolt and firing pin need to be shortened. Extractor needs to be modified, and ejector changed. Then of course the faux suppressor made along with sights. And the woodwork done.

So a lot of work, and thats one of the reasons the reproductions cost so much. And is also the reason why a number of reproductions are done not setting the barrel back in the action as it should be.
Click to expand...

a lot of work indeed. Looking forward to see what turns out!

Lee Enfield said:
I have several MkIII enfields, a full size drawing, & access to the internet... ;-) Royal Armouries have detailed disassembled photos available.

Send me 2 or 3 cheques and I will start buying barrel blanks...

You won't get a 10" barrel though, it will be around 16"
Click to expand...

No offense, but for such a significant chunk of change, I don't think it's unreasonable to want to see a sample of what you can produce before throwing money at you. Sorry :)

pmatuk said:
pic of one with a 14 inch barrel from NSB kit

View attachment 153251
Click to expand...

That's based on a mk4 receiver, bolt not shortened, mag not moved back - hardly a quality reproduction. They are fun toys though - I have one without the fake suppressor shroud.
 
I looked at importing a Delisle replica with fake can about 10 years ago from a company called Valhalla. So literally just a .45 smle with 14”(?) barrel. Emailed the firearms lab guys who classify firearms and they wrote back saying the “Delisle” name made it prohibited even with fake suppressor. I doubt it would stand up to a legal challenge, but I dropped the idea there.
 
started working on the action years ago and when the #4 kits came out for reasonable price and a whole lot less work I kinda stalled out on the #3 action .The Deslise copy that the brit is making are not far off in price unless you do the work for free and don't count the cost of the equipment
 
KotKotofeich said:
Maybe you should build one ;) Do you actually have something to show that's comparable to what Shandwick makes? Last guy I spoke with in Canada about it only made one for himself and his plans to make more stayed just that - plans.

I'm happy to pay for someone to do the work provided it's done well - I can even supply a lot of the parts, the issue is quality and accuracy of the reproduction.
Click to expand...

Yep.

I'll happily pay decent money for someone to build one here in Canada.

Bonus points if you can do it in .40 S&W...
 
There really isn't a point in making it an exact replica in other calibers, no?

I'm sure there are people who would be interested in an enfield or even mosin based shorty in other calibers - 7.62x25, or 9mm or 10mm - you name it :) In fact, I think a mosin based conversion to 7.62x25 is within the realm of possibility even for my limited toolset - acraglassed chamber insert, ring for the boltface, new extractor, 3d model for a magwell adapter to take tokarev magazines... Ah, to have free time in chunks larger than minutes here and there... :(
 
Fargone4sure said:
I've just started working on a pair of Delisle reproductions. Picked up a pair of #1 mk 3 sporters, and have just removed the barrels. Purchased a pair of Thompson machine gun barrels. But the conversion requires a fair bit of machining. The actions need to be opened up in order to accomodate the new barrels, i think I'll end up making a holding fixture to do this. Of course the barrels themselves need to be turned down and re-threaded. Bolt and firing pin need to be shortened. Extractor needs to be modified, and ejector changed. Then of course the faux suppressor made along with sights. And the woodwork done.

So a lot of work, and thats one of the reasons the reproductions cost so much. And is also the reason why a number of reproductions are done not setting the barrel back in the action as it should be.
Click to expand...

A TSMG barrel is what - 10 something inches long? Barrel length isn't an issue when rebarrelling a manually operated firearm, but the dummy suppressor housing would extend way beyond the muzzle of the .45 barrel. If the muzzle is inside the empty casing, and the muzzle blast is released there, I would be concerned that the thing isn't exactly a dummy. Might be better to use a full length barrel which passes through from end to end, to avoid any possible misunderstanding.
Don't know how you are planning to bore out the receiver, but here is a method that works...
Turn a mandrel to tightly fit the boltway, lock in place with a set screw. Make a bushing that threads into the receiver ring, and that extends forward a couple of inches. Grab the mandrel in the chuck, and support the bushing with the steady rest. Bore right through the bushing into the receiver, until it is opened up to accept the barrel.
Might be necessary to soften the bolt for threading and shortening. Run the threads in before cutting - this will keep them coaxial with the bolt. The bolt head will likely need to be softened before counterboring the face.

Incidentally, if you visit weaponsguild.com, a member there from Germany has a tutorial detailing the manufacture of a fully functional reproduction Delisle with a folding stock.
 
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tiriaq said:
A TSMG barrel is what - 10 something inches long? Barrel length isn't an issue when rebarrelling a manually operated firearm, but the dummy suppressor housing would extend way beyond the muzzle of the .45 barrel. If the muzzle is inside the empty casing, and the muzzle blast is released there, I would be concerned that the thing isn't exactly a dummy. Might be better to use a full length barrel which passes through from end to end, to avoid any possible misunderstanding.
Don't know how you are planning to bore out the receiver, but here is a method that works...
Turn a mandrel to tightly fit the boltway, lock in place with a set screw. Make a bushing that threads into the receiver ring, and that extends forward a couple of inches. Grab the mandrel in the chuck, and support the bushing with the steady rest. Bore right through the bushing into the receiver, until it is opened up to accept the barrel.
Might be necessary to soften the bolt for threading and shortening. Run the threads in before cutting - this will keep them coaxial with the bolt. The bolt head will likely need to be softened before counterboring the face.

Incidentally, if you visit weaponsguild.com, a member there from Germany has a tutorial detailing the manufacture of a fully functional reproduction Delisle with a folding stock.
Click to expand...

Tiriaq, this info is greatly appreciated. Actually, i have a full length 45 barrel on hand, and had decided to use it rather than the Thompson barrel already. When i read the regulations regarding gun classifications, there is enough ambiguity in terminology of "modified to have a barrel less than 18.5", that i decided to error on the side of caution. And a full length barrel will elliminate some other challenges as well, so i agree is the prudent choice.

I was thinking of making an expanding arbor, but your suggestion would be easier for sure, so i will go that route.

Also had planned on doing the boring using a boring head on the milling machine. I have a three jaw chuck on a rotary table, so would just chuck up the arbor. But was concerned a bit about the flex in the action going that route. Your method on a lathe would definately support it better, and insures good alignment. But will require a fairly long ,thin, boring bar.

Anyway, thanks for the info.
 
You can start the job by drilling out the bushing so that the hole is about the size of the bolt diameter, then start boring. The receiver is not balanced, and the cut is not continuous, so it takes a bit of time. I suppose that the bushing could be used for more than one job. Others have opened the receiver using a vertical mill. A piloted cutter should work just fine. The receiver isn't hardened where it is being machined, so that is not an issue.
You will have to adjust the length of the bolt so that the bolt head indexes properly.
 
I checked out Delisle build on weaponsguild.com you mentioned. Fantastic resource for sure. And really shows why an accurate repro costs so much.
 
The management at weaponsguild requested that the member not detail construction of the functional suppressor. If you watch the video of the rifle being fired, it is obvious that it works very well.
 
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