What happened to this LSA No1Mk3*?

[louthepou]

Hi folks,

I recently visited a man who had to deal with his deceased father's extensive collection. I showed reasonable self-control and came back with only three rifles. Among them, a rather new 1950 LongBranch No4 :) But I digress.

One of them is this LSA No1Mk3. At first glance, I thought it's simply a No1Mk3 who was refinished by some guy in his basement. But the metal refinishing shows precision. Sorry about the bad picture of the markings, it's LSA Co, 1918. The numbers match, even on the nose cap. So, is there any other explanation? Done by a gunsmith, for one client? Thanks for any hypothesis,

Lou

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2011/12/Picture201-1.jpg
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2011/12/Picture202-1.jpg
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2011/12/Picture203-1.jpg
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2011/12/Picture199-1.jpg

[RJW NZ]

It reminds me of rifles I've seen cosmetically restored as presentation pieces ie someones retirement, or for display as a tribute item, there was someone in the US selling a range of bolt service rifles for that purpose. They weren't restored entirely correctly ie the finish chosen, but look nice enough. Anyone know who that business was?.
You're right, they did a careful job of it,...,

[Roger Payne]

You may well be right Roger. I was going to say that the rifle also looks rather like one of the specimens that were 'refurbished' by Edna Parker (AJ Parkers). She was never a one (God bless her departed soul) to let a rifle go out in good honest order......it always had to be prettified first.

ATB

[RJW NZ]

You may well be right Roger. I was going to say that the rifle also looks rather like one of the specimens that were 'refurbished' by Edna Parker (AJ Parkers). She was never a one (God bless her departed soul) to let a rifle go out in good honest order......it always had to be prettified first.

ATB

Thats actually pretty interesting. Were her rifles ID'd as being refurbed by them? There's a bit of a trend for presentation type Enfields showing up in Canada, and I've been wondering what the source has been. Perhaps?

[tbonesmith]

Is it bluing or paint?

[Peter Laidler]

Varnish, knee deep on rifle woodwork............ the pity of it all! Just try shooting one in the rain or on a hot sticky day when it's varnished and see what a pleasure it is to hold. Only my opinion of course but based on having had to shoot them in the driving rain when really, we should have all been back in our bashas, tucked up in our beds. But, as they say, if it ain't rainin' it ain't trainin' so carry on shootin'

[Brit plumber]

It almost looks like a fine black sray paint.

[louthepou]

Indeed, it's not blueing, it is some sort of coating. Nice though, uniform.

[Peter Laidler]

The Basra Palace Guard had SMLE rifles like this. Coated in thick varnish and cheap chrome. If I showed you one, it'd put you off varnish for life - and chrome! It's like jacking up the rear and putting great big wide rim wheels on your dignified and ladylike MGB

[RangeRover]

It's like jacking up the rear and putting great big wide rim wheels on your dignified and ladylike MGB

Hear, hear. OT, but had to jump in on this point.

RR
'64 B roadster (red)

[Peter Laidler]

Pure magic.............. but not jacked up with big fat wheels I hope RR

[louthepou]

I've been toying with the idea of actually stripping the varnish off and using linseed, but I think, considering the quality of the work done on it, I'll keep it that way.

Thanks again guys for all the comments,

Lou

[RangeRover]

Leaving this rifle in its current state would provide a nice compare-and-contrast piece to the fine work you do on your restorations, and could be perpetually dragged out as an object lesson as to what "not" to do. Now, what about the other rifles you picked up at the same place? :D

And, Peter, bog standard on the "B" - still running positive earth.

[Roger Payne]

RJW
To answer your question re Edna's work, afaik (or can recall) her refinish jobs were not usually (or at least not always) marked. Many years ago she agreed to rebuild a No1 Mk6 for me, but when I realised what 'rebuild' meant I politely told her not to bother.

ATB

[RJW NZ]

I've been toying with the idea of actually stripping the varnish off and using linseed, but I think, considering the quality of the work done on it, I'll keep it that way.

Thanks again guys for all the comments,

Lou

Unless you're busting , if it was me I'd leave as it is, like many non stock rifles, it'll never be original again but its not urgently horrible as it is so its not doing any harm in the present state, and actually is is nice to look at. If it was mine I'd be happy with a rifle like that.

[Westcoast2012]

Well, LSA Mk.III*'s are rare, in any case. They did not switch to the III* until very late in the war.

[Surpmil]

Well, LSA Mk.III*'s are rare, in any case. They did not switch to the III* until very late in the war.

Did they ever? I have handled a 1918 LSA MkIII. T'was never a star. Using up leftovers post-Armistice? Or couldn't wait to return to pre-war orthodoxy?

[Frederick303]

I have an LSA MK III* serial number is around P 2009. something like that, I am relying on memory . 1918 dated. I seem to recall they went to the MK III* in the O XXXX serial range

[jrhead75]

I've also got a 'P' prefixed LSA MkIII*, dated 1918. If I remember correctly, Stratton's notes on observed LSA MkIII*s only mentioned the 'P' prefix. I'd be interested to see if any 'O' prefix rifles have shown up.

[Frederick303]

I have a LSA "O xxxx" prefix rifle as well as the P prefix rifle. It was converted to a .410 by India in the late 1920's. I will check on the model and date tonight.

I also have two LSA no2 MK IV rifles of 1915 and 1916 vintage, i will check on them as well.

[Frederick303]

checked my 1918 LSA marked "o" prefix rifle. No * marking. # ~ O 81882

[Rumpelhardt]

A quick side trip on jacking up a MGB and putting big tires on it....
4x4 MGB Guarantees Entry to Project Car Hell (http://jalopnik.com/5734682/4x4-mgb-guarantees-entry-to-project-car-hell)
Sorry I just couldn't resist.

[Peter Laidler]

MGB............. jeeeeeeees!

[Rumpelhardt]

I came across that little jewel about 6 Months ago while researching a Triumph GT6 I was thinking about buying. After reading this post it just jumped back into my head.:lol:

[gsimmons]

I saw a Triumph TR6 like that at a local show last summer! It was canary yellow.

[Paul S.]

That is wrong in SOOO many ways!!!!