Siamese Lee Enfield

[BGunther]

"Sometimes a fellow has to do what they think is right"...said every Bubba everywhere.
It's a neat rifle...I'll think hard about a repro stock set. Didn't think I'd won the lottery.
This one is in decent shape...maybe just freshen it up.
Because it's neat. Good enough reason, thanks folks

[Bindi2]

you maybe right. As i said the best i could do. With what i can see.

[BGunther]

you maybe right. As i said the best i could do. With what i can see.

Sometimes it ain't about the value afterword. Got a Bubba'd Springfield Krag that fits me like nothing else...still cool. No Safe Queens at my house.

[Bindi2]

There was only 10K SIAM rifles made so they are rather rare. As said by others ridden hard put away wet so how many are left. There is a value in there as there are no spare parts except stripping a rifle to make one better one. If you just want a shooter why invest more money into rebuilding it to Military specs.

[BVZ24]

Rifles that look like they did are fun shooters. You also don't need to worry as much about damage and breakage on a non matching gun.
I usually do a basic cost analysis. I consider restoration options before I purchase a sporter. I am consistently able to do a shooter part together for around $350. I can get a complete Ishapore DP rifle for $200-300, and most important parts are serviceable. These parts can be purchased individually from various sources, but with increased shipping cost. The forestocks require careful bedding. If the donor wood is definitely not British made, and looks bad I strip with chemical and stain reddish brown. I finish with tung oil. If I pay around $100 for the sporter, I will break even when I sell, and even if I don't, I can shoot 500 rds and it will still be worth about the same when I go to sell.
Using new wood is more expensive and puts me over the breaking even point.

[BGunther]

Rifles that look like they did are fun shooters. You also don't need to worry as much about damage and breakage on a non matching gun.
I usually do a basic cost analysis. I consider restoration options before I purchase a sporter. I am consistently able to do a shooter part together for around $350. I can get a complete Ishapore DP rifle for $200-300, and most important parts are serviceable. These parts can be purchased individually from various sources, but with increased shipping cost. The forestocks require careful bedding. If the donor wood is definitely not British made, and looks bad I strip with chemical and stain reddish brown. I finish with tung oil. If I pay around $100 for the sporter, I will break even when I sell, and even if I don't, I can shoot 500 rds and it will still be worth about the same when I go to sell.
Using new wood is more expensive and puts me over the breaking even point.

I concur, but sometimes I'll put lipstick on a pig just because. I rarely sell such units... my kids can fight over them when I pass.
But sporters are fun...like thrice divorced women. You can't be the 1st...likely won't be the last...still fun. Probably more fun than collectable units... never take them into the bush on a rainy day. Heavens no!

[Ax.303]

I `d say go for it if you like. It will look better and you can still take it out without worrying about it.

I own two of these. One matching and one with miss matched, but with Siamese bolt.

Both have unnumbered rear sights and nose-pieces. Midbands are unmarked as well.

I have seen a couple more at gun shows, (Last one in Brandon last December) they also had unnumbered parts.

You will want to find a Butt stock with an unmarked brass disk.

Take a look at the Knowledge Library, page four United Kingdom. There is an large pictorial of one there.

[Omark]

There was only 10K SIAM rifles made so they are rather rare. As said by others ridden hard put away wet so how many are left. There is a value in there as there are no spare parts except stripping a rifle to make one better one. If you just want a shooter why invest more money into rebuilding it to Military specs.

We have quite a few of them here in New Zealand and they regularly turn up for sale at auctions (including bayonets) which have a Steel rather than leather scabbard

[browningautorifle]

a Steel rather than leather scabbard

Those scabbards were made in country to replace the rotted leather scabbards, weren't they? I haven't seen one in the real here.

[BGunther]

Update... got a DP No. 3 on the way...will strip it for parts. Hoping it is in decent shape of course.