SMLE No1 makeover

Third coat of the oil was applied (one coat of the purified linseed oil and two coats of 100% tung oil). I'm planning to do 2-3 more coats and finish everything with the top coat that will increase the weather protection. After much of the fight I was also able to remove the rear sight protector nut from the wood. Not only it was rusted, but also cemented into the wood with the old lacquer and gunk. Luckily no damage to the wood was done in the process. New one will be installed there shortly.

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Nerve wracking moment as I re-assembled the action today. Some, small parts and pins are under a lot of pressure and trying to get those together is always a challenge...plus You never know till this moment if everything is going to work, no paint got where it shouldn't be, nothing got messed up. The function checked worked fine though. Bit rough to start with as some areas around the safety need to wear the paint off, but generally the bolt worked very smooth right from the start.

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Off to paint the very last part that I forgot about.

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That took me like...forever, but the rear sight is ready to go now. All I am left with is the wood and re-assembly. May take another couple of weeks before the wood is finished.

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Wood is finished with the outer surfaces receiving total of 11 coats (4 different products) and inner surfaces around 6 coats in total. I'm pretty sure that it became weather resistant at this point as the products for the project were selected basing on the ability to keep the water and snow away from the timber. After looking at the metal surfaces and the dry paint I wasn't fully satisfied with the final effect, so currently I'm tweaking the cosmetics, but should be done in less than 2 weeks I believe. This is the final look of the wood stock.

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I've spent last three weeks working on the cosmetics. I was trying to recreate the sloppy painting job the English typically did with their rifles. Paint wasn't touched to be clear. On top of the paint I played with the combination of drying oils trying to change the texture and shine of the surface. Fitting the forend to the action took me about 30-45 minutes. The only areas that required sanding were the draws and the very end of the forend where it touches the receiver socket. After taking the wood on and off I was able to establish a tight fit fairly quickly. This project took me over two months I believe.

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Butcherbill said:
You did a great job of cleaning that rifle up, nice save. Let us know how it shoots, the no.1 is such a beautiful looking firearm.
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Thank you. I am going to take it out sometimes in January. Will supplement the range trip with some pictures. I agree. Love everything about No1. Even the weird bedding system:) so, so old school.
 
Every time I see an Enfield done up nice I kick myself for not having one yet.

Great job on bringing this No. 1 off life support. Looks like it's ready to go over the top again! :d

Hope the range trip yields similar results!
 
Looks good!

My lithgow has that crack at the rear of the forend. I cleaned it as best as I could with ronsonal lighter fluid and jb welded it together. Shimmed the draws a bit tighter and its still holding 3 years later, and I shoot it a ton.
 
I rebuild Lee Enfields. I could just go and buy ones in excellent condition but that takes all the fun and pleasure out of owning them. Gives you a level of personal satisfaction rebuilding them that buying something similar just doesn’t give. I don’t know how many times I have removed varnish from these old military rifles. Brought back to look as she should.
A rifle to be proud of.
 
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