new member with interest in SMLE -seeking advice /pointers

Found this website sometime ago but recently got a good bit more interested in the details .
I have some small parts I am trying to i'd and also am looking to buy some parts .
A few years back what with the shortage of brass SMLE butts , I saw some dealers , one in particular at Birmingham Arms Fair selling Indian made - ' repro ' brass plates - they may have been old genuine Ishapore - no idea ( I'm learning about SMLE's - slowly ) .
Does anyone know of a source of any brass plates - genuine or repro for the SMLE - anywhere - so long as they post ..... nearly ALL the US suppliers state now firmly no posting outside of US .
I was also mystified as to why I could not find complete Stock Sets .
There's lots of 'new' walnut No4 bits around - does anyone know of a source of complete SMLE walnut sets - repro / mil surplus .custom . I have tried and am surprised I cannot find any ref to Indian made - repro or genuine given the long association with the SMLE and India .

Am also seeking advice on some steel rear Butt Swivel sets I have - the swivel loop is seperate from the bit that gets pinned by the cross screw ( that allows it to swivel on the base unit BB0664 . I only noticed the other day - the loop was central on the swivel and thought that ain't right , there should be an offset . I realised the loop could be pushed side to side through its mounting pivot . Any I have seen before have the loop and this stud fixed as one to avoid the possibility I assume of the loop sliding from side to side .
I'd best go for a cup of tea and give you guys a break - before I dare ask about the other Base Plate for a Swivel I have - in rosey copper - part i.d normally as BB0664 ...totally lost on that one .... :madsmile:
Sorry in advance for the questions .
I'll find my round the website slowly .

ButrtPlate: Welcome to the forum. Personally I've sourced a lot of my No. 1 and No. 4 parts from the UK version of e-bay. I hope they're not in short supply already! I do see the odd No. 1 forend for sale here in Canada.

Ridolpho

Hi thanks . Yep fraid so - in short supply everywhere incl the Bay here in UK . One or two in new unsued do turn up at high cost , and then you have o orry as to how to match them to the other bits .
Trying to colour match pieces from different useage /finish ....and worse different timber is a bad idea . I'd even go for a set from an old deac , but who wants to scavenge a piece of history for parts .
I used to be into shooting much more and everyone knows the association of Britain and India , the Indian Ishapore (?) SMLE's , and today the Indians love of remaking everything new .- quite a few working repro Napoleonic muskets and Baker rifles ahve kept the BP hobby alive thanks to the Indians . Just cannot find any Indian SMLE kit ?

I can probably find you an original butt plate, though it may be of Australian manufacture. I'm afraid I don't have the screws though, although screws for the No4 function fine if you're not too much of a purist. PM me if interested.

have a rummage ! PM sent .:)

PM returned! ;-)

Complete SMLE walnut sets are gone. None have been made since W.W. II at least. Other than by India in the mid 60's. Even those are gone.
Walnut has gotten horrendously expensive too. Stock blanks start at about $600US depending on the wood.
"...no posting outside of US..." Has to do with their Commerce Dept. requiring manufacturers to buy an expensive($1800US per annum last I saw) exporter's licence.
"...part i.d normally as..." Where? All the assorted parts sellers have their own numbers. I'm wondering if you're looking at a stacking swivel vs a sling swivel.
Buying or selling anything on E-Bay directly funds the people who want to take your firearms away from you.

Sunray, I'm not sure where you get your information but it is flat out wrong. Here are the facts. Canada is allowed up to $500 in wholesale parts shipments other than barrels, breech blocks and complete bolt assemblies. Everyone else that isn't on the bad guy list, $100 worth. Shipments must be lodged by an ITAR registrant with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection prior to shipment and an Automated Export System, International Transaction Number, (AES ITN), must be obtained for legal shipment. Folks attempting to ship items cross border by any method without it risk confiscation and fines if caught. The U.S. Department of Commerce has nothing to do with military gun parts exports, (any vintage except antique which are exempt but still require lodging with CBP), right now. The horrendous yearly registration fee, (base fee of $2250), is for the Directorate of Defense Trade Control, (DDTC), U.S. Department of State. They handle all ITAR regulated exports. There is a plan to transition all but weapons over .50 caliber and machine guns to the EAR or Bureau of Industry and Security, (BIS), U.S. Department of Commerce next year but no tentative date has been set that I know of yet. Fingers crossed this happens next year as it will make parts and firearms exports much easier for all involved. At the risk of being political; if the Demoncrats get control of the Congress next week in the midterm elections, these good things proposed by the current administration who WANT us to DO business may go to the wayside. Time will tell. Brian