Ishapore No1Mk3* RF 50

[upperfarm]

Looking for an answer on a rifle I have little experience with, have tried other locations but possibly someone here will know: Is a pristine, all matching, never looks like it has been in the field Ishapore No1Mk3* that was originally built as a grenade launcher (hex bolt and nut behind rear sight, L shaped metal tab on nosepiece) but is now missing the "sheet metal" reinforcement front and rear. Is this a unique or difficult to find rifle in this condition? I was initially draw to it by the condition of the wood and metal, but figured out it was missing the two reinforcement pieces after doing some research on it. It is very difficult to see any indications on the stock where the reinforcement was placed. Are the sheet metal reinforcement pieces available anywhere? The rifle was not wire wrapped in 1950, so I don't want to do that. Is it feasible to remove the reinforcement bolt, neatly plug the hole, and reinstall a screw as would have been done for a non grenade rifle? The rifle is offered for sale at what I think is a very reasonable price, about half of what sells on the auction sites for a non Ishapore mismatched SMLE. Other than buying what is probably an excellent shooter, what can a beginner collector do with this piece? Thanks in advance for your help.

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

You could easily plug the hole left by the old 1/4" nut and bolt and replace with a grotty old wood screw. But if you're going to replace it, why bother with then replacing it with a wood screw? Full details of how to remove and replace the screw are detailed elsewhere in the forum.

But remember this. All you will be trying to do is hiding some unique featuire of its past and like the DP rifles, ever collection of Enfields should have a representative Grenade rifle and a DP in it. Just my opinion of course

[RobD]

Upperfarm, why not post pictures?
You will find a wealth of knowledge and useful advice about all the details you mention.
Rob

[Ridolpho]

upperfarm: According to Robert Edwards in "India's Enfields" very few of the sheetmetal bands were ever produced although there were two types. The simpler version looks like it might be replicated but I suspect wire wrapping would still be perfectly appropriate for a '50. You might consider trying that. There are a number of threads and a reference by Mr. Laidler about this on the forum. I finally got my first wire-wrapped grenade launching Ishapore in the mail last week and it's a great addition to the collection.

Ridolpho

[Peter Laidler]

Ours were all made/converted from downgraded rifles. Usually those that were previously declared as sub-standard. Although sub standard in reality only meant that barrel wear/corrosion was viewed and gauged to a slightly lower standard. I also have a feeling in my bones that our sub-standard and EY rifles could have more butt and fore-end patches than the three usually allowed. But I could be slightly wrong there.

The reason for the bolt that reinforced the fore-end was to strengthen it should a grenade detonate in the cup when the gas pressure would/cause a catastrophic failure there. Quite how they arrive at that conclusion was al;ways a bit of a mystery to me because gas pressure will always equate itself and the part of the barrel that would fail would be the narrowest part surely! Yep........ at the upper end where it's wire wrapped and where your hand would be supporting it!