SMLE Based .22 Hornet Sporting Rifle

[tiriaq]

Saw this unusual rifle recently at Accuracy Plus in Peterborough.
Converted to one piece stock. Single shot. Mannlicher length forend. Trigger guard adapted from a Mk. III Ross.
Remarkable feature is that the action has been shortened. Section cut out, welded back together. Bolt shortened to suit.
Vintage Lyman target/varmint scope mounted.
No idea who made it. Ellwood Epps did one piece Lee Enfield conversions, don't know if this is one of his or not. Whoever did it was skilled.

 

[mr.e moose]

I have one also that I picked up from the estate of a old gunsmith. One piece stock and chambered in what I believe to be .222 Remington rimmed. The BSA barrel says .222 Remington on it. One of these days I have to get around to doing a chamber cast. Quite a few people have asked me if it was a Epps sporter. I doubt it since the work on the action seems to be unfinished and I live in Alberta.

 

[gaff]

any chance you could post some pictures ? thanks

 

[mr.e moose]

Here's mine

 

[fraserdw]

Boy they can be real pretty in a one piece.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Boy they can be real pretty in a one piece.

All you need is someone who knows what he's doing.

Grizz

 

[mr.e moose]

This one kind of struck me as a diamond in the rough. Everything is fit in place but nothing has been finished.
Based on a No4 Mk 1 action it has a mag box that looks like it was fabricated from a P-14, hung trigger that still needs the welds addressed along with rough bare metal where the rear sight ears were removed. The barrel is a BSA marked barrel in .222 Remington. It is indexed 180 degrees off as indicated by the rear sight dovetail which would be correct for a barrel that was a donor from a Martini.
The Australians redid quite a few Martinis to .222 Remington rimmed so a chamber cast is definitely in order for this one. The masking tape on this rifle has his notes on height of comb, cast off, lop, trigger weight along with many other details. The only thing not noted is what it is chambered for.
As a added bonus this is sporting a Unertil Hawk scope.
Besides this rifle I also acquired a few stocks, the one on this rifle just seems to work even with the swell at the grip cap. He also made nice thumbhole stocks.
The auction house would not divulge who he was though.