1912 ShtLE- restoration project

[Catch22]

I've had a lot of luck with this forum, so I figured I'd give it another shot.

I'm going to a local gun shop to have another look at a 1912 ShtLE III I saw there the other day. The stock has been cut down, with the forend cut to sporter length and the forward hand guard is MIA. The disk on the butt stock is also MIA. However, the barrel is intact and everything I saw a SN on matches, even the magazine. If I can get it for a good price, which I think I can considering the asking price on it, I'm going to likely come home with it as a restoration project.

As I understand it, the 1912 should have a magazine cutoff and volley sights. Is that information correct? As I understand, it was around 1916/17 when they removed them from production rifles. However, I can't find definitive information in that regard.

I didn't see the remnants of the volleys on the forend, but I didn't look at the receiver to see if anything was there. The same with the magazine cutoff. I've found a couple of places with the magazine cutoff, but none with a forend with the volley sights or the piece of the volley's that go on the receiver.

Am I going to be on a major quest to find the forend and the other pieces for the volley sights? Working on the assumption this rifle would have had them, of course.

I'm also doing what research I can to find out some history about these rifles. I have a No 4 Mk I and other milsurps I've thoroughly enjoyed researching the history of, and it's become one of my favorite parts of owning these guns. Any links or resources of interest are always appreciated.

Information

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[Maxwell Smart]

Yes, a 1912 would have been fitted with the volley sights, and magazine cut-off. It would also have had the milled rear sight ears, and the windage adjustable rear sight.

[RobD]

Go for it.

[Roy]

Question Regarding Volley or Long Range Sights on the No 1 Mk III

This recent thread directly relates to your project. Good luck and have fun.

[Catch22]

Question Regarding Volley or Long Range Sights on the No 1 Mk III

This recent thread directly relates to your project. Good luck and have fun.

I GREATLY appreciate that link, Roy.

From what I'm gathering, is that it's entirely possible at some point the volley sights were removed and a stock without them put on. However, it could still have had the magazine cutoff (as this one has the slot exposed, so I'm thinking it was removed during sporterizing).

If anyone can confirm that, I'd be grateful. I'm guessing it'll be far easier to find a forend with the magazine cutout relief and no volleys, and it'll still be accurate as far as what it would have left it's last arsenal.

[AD-4NA]

Yes, it just depends on what you want to go for. and if there are rebuild marks that give clues. The latter option without volley sights would certainly be cheaper and easier to find even if the end result is less eye catching.

[RobD]

Hope you can get it cheap and re-build the stock set. When looking at the price, bear in mind that the early type SMLE magazine with the hinged front alone is valuable - see SMLE No. 1 Magazine Early Type - BRP CORP Store

[RCS]

On your 1912 Sht LE, do you have the HV or SC stamps behind the rear sight ? photo of my 1909 BSA showing both HV and SC. Yours should have the HVAttachment 58617Attachment 58618

The fore-end with volley sight is very difficult to locate

[Catch22]

On your 1912 Sht LE, do you have the HV or SC stamps behind the rear sight ? photo of my 1909 BSA showing both HV and SC. Yours should have the HVAttachment 58617Attachment 58618

The fore-end with volley sight is very difficult to locate

It has both. What is the significance of those markings?

[Homer]

Hope you can get it cheap and re-build the stock set. When looking at the price, bear in mind that the early type SMLE magazine with the hinged front alone is valuable - see SMLE No. 1 Magazine Early Type - BRP CORP Store

Standard No4 type magazine would be equally correct for this rifle.