Lithgow No1 Mk III New restoration project

[Sapper740]

I understand entirely where you're coming from. In the past I have restored rifles that I never made a profit out of, but I really enjoyed doing it. There's a good feeling that you've dragged a piece of history back from the precipice!
I suppose it comes down to whether ultimate profitability is important to the restorer, or not.

I'm sure everyone gets where the OP is coming from but some of us would rather have two original rifles for the price of one Bubba. With a limited budget and a whole galaxy of various Lee Enfield marks and models to add to a collection one must choose their expenditures wisely....well, at least I do.

---------- Post added at 06:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:01 AM ----------

My 5MD Lithgow 1916 was a rather tedious @8 year affair sourcing the very early parts endless hours of trolling the net o/seas & here like an early Lithgow star marked piling swivel how often have one of those come up along with sear, mag floor plates, early star marked full safety (Dumbbell spring type) the mag housing all took time.
So the rifle originally cost me $100/Aud but came with no mag, no safety & no sling.

The all up cost for getting the '16 5MD to where I felt she is all done including the Wrights 1916 black sling (Not blanco'ed), 5MD 1916 07 Lithgow bayonet, 5MD 1916 teardrop Lithgow scabbard, all in I'd say close to @$900-$1000 Aud not counting the time spent searching for the gear, yep and I know it is a bitsa now.

Now there's a labour of love!