Hey there everybody! Just a quick question....have you ever got a sporterized mil surp or a gun in horrible shape that you have brought back to its original military configuration or fixed up to look good again? Please post pics :thup: Thanks!
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Hey there everybody! Just a quick question....have you ever got a sporterized mil surp or a gun in horrible shape that you have brought back to its original military configuration or fixed up to look good again? Please post pics :thup: Thanks!
Am working on one at present (slower than i expected) have a look on the restorers corner, its at the top in 4 parts an SMLE No1 Mk V, which was badly spoterised its starting to take shape and am just waiting to do the barrel.
A dozen or so over the years. A few are in my photo gallery.
I had several, one was M1 # SA 329175. Brit proofs and all. Someone drove over the front and broke the wood, bent the gas piston and bent the barrel. I fixed it though.
My first-ever 'rare' rifle, a Navy SMLE I* * *, was rebuilt from scrap parts, starting with a barreled body with sights. I still have it, it is my 'never-sell' rifle and it's fun to shoot, even though not all that accurate.
I am working (slowly) on a commercial Ross 1910 Sporter and a PH custom LM II that was sportered about 1920 and then kicked to death slowly in the North country.
And just a while ago, I was given an EASY project: a Sparkbrook 1897 Body and sights, barrel cut to 25". It will be built into a Short rifle, just for fun, because I want to try a Conversion and will never be able to afford an original. It will be back on the range next year, which will be much better than where it was headed: the Cromer Dump.
And I have a dozen more, mostly Rosses and SMLEs, needing bits and pieces and (some) total rebuilds. Takes time and money. I have the time and, now that I am legally an Old Fart, I have a bit of money. So.... we shall see what we shall see.......
BTW: I also take total garbage!
My Eddystone M1917. It was sporterized but luckily they did'nt mess with the barrel or receiver which where in like new condition. Mostly it had a hacked up stock with no handguards and a modified band. It was an easy restoration but its the only sporter I've ever bought with the intentions of restoring it.
one year ago bought a box of gun parts at an auction for $15. turned out it contained an entire springfield model 1898 , krag except the bolt and rear sight. took 4 months of cleaning and searching for the missing parts but I now have a complete rifle which shoots pretty well and looks better. valued at $1000 to $1200 but not for sale.
Attachment 15356Attachment 15357Attachment 15358Attachment 15359Attachment 15360Always wanted a Rock Island 1903 and I bought a receiver from the CMP auction, nice color and without the Hatcher hole too. Bought a SA 6-10 barrel from RTL plus some early parts that I had saved (like the rear sight and early handguard). Also the nice RIA floorplate from Tom in NJ.
Now THAT'S an early receiver!
About 10+ years ago I bought a sporterized '42 Savage No.4, Mk.1 (not a 1*) from a dealer back east; paid the exhorbitant price of $125 to get it. The wood had been chopped but most of the correct metal was there. Brian Dick found me an unissued set of Savage contract wood complete with metal and rivets. The serial number was in the Mk.1* range but the rifle was a Mk.1 - probably overlooked somewhere in the Mk.1 production run. My oldest son now holds the rifle - I offered him a beautiful Mk.2 or the Savage...smart kid.