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Ive a Long Lee Enfield upgraded to a MkI* CLLE with a cracked worn upper Handguard (the one that mounts behind the rear sight and missing the rear sight slide.
Id really like to replace the stock, but can live with it. I can live with the upper Handguard as well, but I thought Id ask this group if there are any resources known for:
1) rear sight slide
2) rear handguard, and
3) full stock (with volley sight reliefs)
for a Long Lee Enfield upgraded to a 1902/1909 MkI* CLLE
repair the crack with biscuits just like the armourers did. That rifle has earnt its dings, gouges etc just clean it gently dirt and active rust only then add BLO to the furniture rubbing it in till it wont take anymore. Balistol oil on the metal. Then smile every time you handle it or look at it knowing it will be good for another 100yrs.
Thanks from your reply from down under. Im pleased I didnt have to turn my screen upside down in order to read your text! ;-)
So I take it from your reply that you are unaware of any source for a rear sight elevation slide, rear handguard and stock. Frankly, I doubt Ill ever find these bits, but I can't know unless I ask.
I have already restored the stock and handguard within the limits possible. They are serviceable, and the resulting cosmetics are not terrible, but noticeable, at last to me.
The rear sight elevation slide is, however, far more an issue as this makes the rifle incomplete, despite the fact that few notice...I do, and it offends my German sense of symmetry (small personal family history joke, despite the fact that we moved from Germany to the Colonies in 1737). This rifle was in my 104 long arm collection that was recently on display at a local museum for 2 years, and I was proud that it completed the UK arms of WWI section.
Like you, I do not collect pristine museum pieces, but prefer arms that have clearly been in the hands of actual soldiers. I prefer the dings dents and slight wear of an adequately maintained but clearly used rifle. I lack written provenance of each rifle of my collection, so I can never claim the rifles have even actually been used in battle, least of all which theatre of operation or battle itself. However it is likely that each of my rifles have in fact been to battle...if only they could tell their story!
Also like you, I perform the minimum repairs and use established and historical armorer's methods where possible and as needed to the best of my ability. Also like you, I extensively recondition the furniture of every one of these rifles with BLO and apply maintenance coats at least once a year, if not more often. I reject the misinformed notion that raw Linseed Oil should be used instead for chemical and practical reasons, as well as historic since the original coats were applied by dipping the furniture in heated Linseed Oil which, due to the elevated temp and oxidation over time, resulted in the same chemistry of the finish as BLO does today. Were an authentic used stock and handguard become available I would prefer to improve my rifle with better furniture, but I rarely, if ever, use NOS or repro furniture parts.
I would place a WTB in the forum here and see. I'll bet one of these guys has those pieces in his pocket as we speak.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1903Collector
I needed an upper handguard for my Long lee (to replace one that had been bodged beyond saving on an otherwise superb rifle) - I placed a wanted ad on the forum, and one of our New Zealand members came up trumps (and has since become a friend). So definitely worth a try!Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Ill give it a try, Jim!
---------- Post added at 10:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 PM ----------
Outstanding, thanks...hope you didnt get his last one! :-)