sparkbrook le 303 1897
- Thread starter norland
- Start date
All in all, a Sparkbrook MLE would be a desirable candidate for restoration. Whether or not this particular MLE is a good candidate depends on several factors. The factors I tend to place the most emphasis on include:
- Is the bbl full length? It should measure 30.2" from breech face to muzzle.
- Has it been drilled for a scope?
- Have any other cuts been made to the receiver or bbl?
If the answers are yes, no and no, there is a good chance it is a good candidate for restoration. However, there are other factors that come into play.
We need photos in order to give a more definitive answer.
- Is the bbl full length? It should measure 30.2" from breech face to muzzle.
- Has it been drilled for a scope?
- Have any other cuts been made to the receiver or bbl?
If the answers are yes, no and no, there is a good chance it is a good candidate for restoration. However, there are other factors that come into play.
We need photos in order to give a more definitive answer.
Have one here which evidently went to South Africa during the Boer War and stayed there for a long time. Travelling View inspectors' marks are like a 19-th Century phone book!
Navy N on it, South African U-Broad-Arrow.
Apppears to have been sportered nicely some time about 1920.
Nice point is barrel has not been chopped. Finish on metal parts is excellent; I suspect a very old refinish, very nicely done, well cared-for.
I have $150 in it, bought it because it completed my factory collection; already had all the others.
Nice old rifle if you like that period. My problem is that I like that period!
Navy N on it, South African U-Broad-Arrow.
Apppears to have been sportered nicely some time about 1920.
Nice point is barrel has not been chopped. Finish on metal parts is excellent; I suspect a very old refinish, very nicely done, well cared-for.
I have $150 in it, bought it because it completed my factory collection; already had all the others.
Nice old rifle if you like that period. My problem is that I like that period!
Yes, he had it priced at $150.
I PMd that I would take it, soon as I discovered it. It would be a nice companion piece for the one I already have.
Likely others did also, because he pulled it, did not have the courtesy to tell us to get stuffed.
I PMd that I would take it, soon as I discovered it. It would be a nice companion piece for the one I already have.
Likely others did also, because he pulled it, did not have the courtesy to tell us to get stuffed.
Smellie,
I noticed this MLE appeared to be a very nicely sporterized military rifle. However, I also noticed it had never been drilled and tapped for the receiver mounted long range sight and the forestock also lacked provision for the sight. I do not recall ever seeing a military MLM or MLE that did not have provision for the sight. Could you explain?
I noticed this MLE appeared to be a very nicely sporterized military rifle. However, I also noticed it had never been drilled and tapped for the receiver mounted long range sight and the forestock also lacked provision for the sight. I do not recall ever seeing a military MLM or MLE that did not have provision for the sight. Could you explain?
And it went to a Very Good Home, too!
That's what I was worried about: that some CLOWN might get hold of it. I can stop worrying now!!
As to the sighting arrangement, I can't add anything except to suggest the possibility of the screw-holes being plugged. I have seen a couple like that, the work done in small shops after the rifles were surplused, likely about 1920, at the same time they were sportered. Not all Long rifles with shortened wood are the work of Bubba & Co.; many were done in small shops, given a refinish and a refurb. My own full-length Sparkie sporter is very like that; the other, which was interrupted on its way to the Pipestone Municipal Dump, has the holes but not the parts; it also was shortened by about 5 inches and that definitely was done by Bubba or his grandfather!
That's what I was worried about: that some CLOWN might get hold of it. I can stop worrying now!!
As to the sighting arrangement, I can't add anything except to suggest the possibility of the screw-holes being plugged. I have seen a couple like that, the work done in small shops after the rifles were surplused, likely about 1920, at the same time they were sportered. Not all Long rifles with shortened wood are the work of Bubba & Co.; many were done in small shops, given a refinish and a refurb. My own full-length Sparkie sporter is very like that; the other, which was interrupted on its way to the Pipestone Municipal Dump, has the holes but not the parts; it also was shortened by about 5 inches and that definitely was done by Bubba or his grandfather!
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
good to hear its gone to a good home
I have an old sporter, built on a BSA comercial action, done by a gunsmith shop/trade, barrel is stamped with their info, Manchester based.
not all were bubba's work
I have an old sporter, built on a BSA comercial action, done by a gunsmith shop/trade, barrel is stamped with their info, Manchester based.
not all were bubba's work
