SMLE saved from bubba...

[ABCZAR]

I was on here awhile ago searching for some parts and thanks to all those who assisted with my No1mkIII project.

I found most of the parts here on CGNs EE, a few at a gunshow, a few at a shop etc....

Before:

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After:

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Not 100% done yet and not at all matching but a successful save none the less.

 

[louthepou]

Good work, she's looking much better, isn't it! Good job.

We want a range report!

Lou

 

[DeadEyedShooter]

Fantastic, well done! What parts are you missing?

 

[Vimy Ridge]

Good show.

 

[ABCZAR]

Fantastic, well done! What parts are you missing?

Thank you first time doing this....


I need a complete bolt for it. The 'sporter' was given to me years ago with no bolt. Have a mag. sling, .303 stripper clips....a bayonet would be good too....and a new nose cap with a hole in it for the stacking swivel....

 

[OEM]

Holy smokes, that before one looks almost exactly like my stock...right down to the weird rounded looking part on the butt stock...plus yours is a little 'blonder'

Nice work!

 

[ABCZAR]

Thanks from all who commented.....I was given this gun years ago from a good friend, a army buddy. His father passed away and when he was sorting out his personal belongings, this rifle was in the shed. He gave it to me as he had no PAL and asked that I keep it forever.

So I figured I'd giv'er face lift....I sent picture to my buddy and he was impressed so I thought I'd put it on here too.

 

[bobfortier]

Good work. Welcome to the Clan of SMLE restorer !!

 

[DATAM]

Excellent work, I hope it shoots as well as it looks for you too!

 

[Drachenblut]

Congratulations on a nice restoration job!

 

[macadoodle]

Very nice, Take that Bubba!

 

[Dawg]

It's nice to see an other one come back from the "grave" of Bubba. Nice work.

 

[ABCZAR]

Thanks to all who commented.

Question to all....what is the deal with the nose cap on the smle..some have the stacking swivel hole and some don't. What is the deal with this and are the ones with out the hole newer, or reproductions?

New to all this LeeEnfield thing.

Found one that has it and it is going on now but still....does anyone have an answer??

 

[stevebc]

ABCZAR, I picked up a matching Lithgow No.1 Mk.3 at the Kamloops gun show that looks very similar to your "before" picture. However, I'm trying to be hard headed about this, so can you give me a ballpark estimate on what it cost you to get it to your "after" picture?
Mine has the mag cutoff slot, but also has some pitting in the bore, and the rifling, while strong, isn't as sharp as I'd like, so before I get into a restoration project, I'd like to know roughly what it'll cost me, and what I can reasonably expect to get for it once restored.
Thanks in advance.

 

[ABCZAR]

Steve,

I had the sporter given to me...with no bolt. I found all the wood (DP) and metal needed (which was basically from the outer band forward) and the rear sight protector and hardware for 150 shipped on the EE.

I have just bought a bolt on the EE, along with a bunch of other No 1 pieces I will not be needing. It was a package deal...that was another 150 shipped.

A bolt costs about 75.00 on its own so yours has one your looking at 150-200 bucks if you find wood at decent price. Others on here would be of more help probably. I've seen wood sets as low as 75.00 for drill purpose up to 200.00 for good condition.

My plan was to take the bolt and complete the gun...take it to a place I know and get it headspaced and trade bolts if need be so I have a shooter.

When I get the parts in which were shipped from QC this morning, I will go through what I have for you if you want. I will have most metal parts for a resoration, I have two butt stocks as well. The stuff was going up on the EE once I was happy with my gun but I will give you first dibs at it.

Marstar has the mag cut off plates for 25.00...something I never delt with but I have not ever found the screw/bolt that holds them in.

Post a picture of the sporter you bought. I am no expert but to see the gun I will be able to tell what you need solely because I just did one.

 

[ABCZAR]

ABCZAR, I picked up a matching Lithgow No.1 Mk.3 at the Kamloops gun show that looks very similar to your "before" picture. However, I'm trying to be hard headed about this, so can you give me a ballpark estimate on what it cost you to get it to your "after" picture?
Mine has the mag cutoff slot, but also has some pitting in the bore, and the rifling, while strong, isn't as sharp as I'd like, so before I get into a restoration project, I'd like to know roughly what it'll cost me, and what I can reasonably expect to get for it once restored.
Thanks in advance.

To add Steve...The fact that the gun is matching is good as far as I know but the pitting may be an issue.

Mine is not matching at all and has the indian DP wood on it but I don't ever intend on selling it for sentimental reasons so resale wasn't in my mind. I could probably get what I put in to it simply because the before procuct was free.

Your is better in my opinion, being matching and with a nice set of wood who knows.

PM me or email a pic to me or do it on here foar all to see and add...I am no Milsup god.

 

[stevebc]

Steve,

When I get the parts in which were shipped from QC this morning, I will go through what I have for you if you want. I will have most metal parts for a resoration, I have two butt stocks as well. The stuff was going up on the EE once I was happy with my gun but I will give you first dibs at it.

Post a picture of the sporter you bought. I am no expert but to see the gun I will be able to tell what you need solely because I just did one.

I'll get a picture up soon, but mine is cut off at the same place yours is. What was confusing me is that on yours, someone had put the front swivel back from the inner band location mine's at.
Many thanks for your kind offer- I look forward to seeing a list of your parts. I'll definately start watching the EE for wood. Hopefully I can find something that will match the light coloured stock.

 

[louthepou]

When SMLE No1Mk3 were converted to the No1Mk3* standard, that involved among a few things removing the mag cut-off. It's kind of cool if you can refurb a sportered rifle with the mag cut-off in it, interesting conversation piece at the range for sure. I sold one a few years back, should have kept it...

Lou

 

[OEM]

What is the mag cut-off plate?

 

[louthepou]

What is the mag cut-off plate?

It's a plate installed in the receiver, that covers the top of the mag to make the rifle a single-shot. The cut-off plate was to remain in that position unless the command would be issued to the soldier to slide the plate outward and therefore turn the rifle into a repeater. The idea was based on the concept that if no system was in place to control the use of rounds, the soldiers would go through his rounds too quickly. Or something like that, not sure my explanation is clear, it's still early and coffee didn't kick in yet!

Lou