Who I turn to?

[Katzenjammer Kid]

Hi All. Here are some pics of my 1915 London Small Arms SMLE. As can be seen it is in a very poor state, something akin to myself! Is there anybody out there that would, for a fee (Pensioner's Rates!) take this and bring it back to life? I am useless at any DIY or suchlike having trained myself for 73 years to be so and thus would like someone who likes a challenge to take this on. Grateful for any advice.

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Who I turn to?

The hours upon hours that it takes to refurbish an old banger would, in most cases, cost more than the object is worth. Which is why there is so much exchange of information on this forum and the restorers forum about how to do it.

Especially for Lee Enfields, you can find just about every aspect covered in detail, more than once. Material requirements are low, the time required is enormous.

You want someone to do it? Go look in the mirror. Then settle down to read through the forums here. Doing it yourself will be much more satisfying than paying someone else. And if you are sceptical that a complete beginner can turn a wreck into a good-looking rifle again, go here for some encouragement:

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....ight=Argentino

Go very, very slowly. Get a book, such as Volume 1 of British Enfield Rifles by Charles R. Stratton. ISBN 1-882391-16-0 so that you can see how the rifle is assembled. Be warned: when dismantling an Enfield the forestock must be removed before trying to remove the butt, otherwise turning the long stock bolt in the butt will cause the square tip of the bolt to split the forestock just in front of the butt socket ring. If this sounds a bit odd, it will become clear when you have dismantled the rifle. And you will need a very long screwdriver indeed for the job!

Otherwise, it is mostly elbow-grease. Which you can provide yourself.

[RCS]

Attachment 42641



What are the markings on your hooked quillon bayonet ?

[Katzenjammer Kid]

Attachment 42641



What are the markings on your hooked quillon bayonet ?

Don't get too excited! It's a Soldier of Fortune repro but it looks the part from a distance. The other one id 1915 dated made by Sanderson.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

The rifle looks good as is. That being said freshining up the furniture with 50/50 BLO/turpentine would freshen up the apperance a bit. As stated previously there is not much involved in cosmetic restoration that someone with basic skills and a lot of paticence cannot accomplish. The pride assoiated with completed project will more than offset the value of the time spent. You have found the right place for all the knowlege and encouragement you will need.

[Aragorn243]

Having just completed a restoration of a very badly damaged Swede, I can fully second the statement that paying someone else to do it is not cost effective at all. I have in excess of 30 hours in that project. A trained gun smith probably wouldn't have even tried to tackle it. But I have an interest in working with guns, it is relaxing for me to do so and I don't mind the time working on them. In the end, I have something I can take some pride in accomplishment in.

Your rifle doesn't look too bad as is. A lot of guys wouldn't do anything with it. I'd try to dress up the finish a bit to make it look more even. You could consider some steaming to get rid of some of the dents.