Ever see one of these ???

[Peter Laidler]

Look again at the rear of the action body Ridolpho. Is it a No1 with a No4 safety and locking bolt or a No4 with a No1 bridge charger guide.............? Nope, whatever it is, it's a home made ........er.........., something.

[Paul S.]

... I'll bet it's a real action body. ...

Ridolpho

Mate, have you ever seen an action body with the slot at the top of the receiver ring that one has?

[Bruce_in_Oz]

I reckon it's a bit dodgy too; stepped Mauser-like barrel?

However, remember that the Army & Navy Co-operative Society Ltd. formed 1871 retailed a lot of very nice Lee Enfield sporters.

I have seen several in 7mm, but never got to shoot one. Fit and finish of wood and metal are generally very good. Often have fancy octagonal/round barrels with multi-leaf" express sights. Also short. "fish-belly" magazines. Actually, 7 x 57R or 6.5 x 54R would be fine cartridges for anyone building something a little different from their spares box.

These sporting rifles and those from sundry other early British commercial sources are in a niche of their own.

Then there are the "Lee Speed" commercial "look-alikes", Siamese SMLEs etc.

[Ridolpho]

I've held up a few of my Lee Enfields by the screen to compare and I see what you're all saying but- still some amazing similarities to the genuine #1 Mk3 action (minor details that would be difficult to replicate with primitive machinery). Obviously the receiever ring is not right and a strange barrel is grafted on but it's kind of a neat piece and I was merely trying to encourage the owner to dig deeper for an origin. Also, just because it was a Khyber pass special doesn't mean it would automatically blow up like an early Springfield 1903!

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Look again at the rear of the action body Ridolpho. Is it a No1 with a No4 safety and locking bolt or a No4 with a No1 bridge charger guide.............? Nope, whatever it is, it's a home made ........er.........., something.

Can't believe you offered to tourch my poor ole Parker Hale but did not make the same offer to this gentelman.

[Peter Laidler]

Ah, but there's only one of these HoH. The P-H abominations come in two's or threes. But don't worry unduly - if another of the Mauser/No1/No4's turns up, I'll make the same offer!

[Emri]

Also, just because it was a Khyber pass special doesn't mean it would automatically blow up like an early Springfield 1903!

I'd pull the trigger anyday on a LN 1903 before I did so on this thing. I think I'll remove the bolt, a couple of other bits and pieces and saw up the rest. I was pretty much headed down that road in the first place, but did want some input from the British rifle crowd.

Thanks for all your help and opinions.

Emri

[Peter Laidler]

But before you do chop it Emri, might I suggest that you take twenty or 30 detailed photos of it so that it's recorded 'somewhere' for posterity. It might be a bit of a 'bitzer' but it's an interesting 'bitzer'

[bigduke6]

Also, just because it was a Khyber pass special doesn't mean it would automatically blow up like an early Springfield 1903!

Give me the Low Number M1903 any day of the week.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Peter Laidier

I suppose I see the logic there. That being said have you ever seen a Parker Hale Deluxe with "custom profiled" No 5 butstock and bolt? This might just place my abomination in the same saftey zone of the prestigous and coveted Mauser/ No1./No4 hybrid?
Just saying.