1893 Sparkbrook receiver! Oh and, merry Christmas!

[louthepou]

Hi everyone,

Long time no post, hope everyone's doing great on this day which is quite significant for one chunk of the world population. Here, well, it sure is a great day spent with the family; quality time.

Might as well do a bit of stuff for myself as well... Took a closer look at this SMLE sporter I recently found.

When I saw the stamped info on the receiver, I immediately told the seller that I was taking it. Looking at the pictures from the seller, I was wondering what had happened to this rifle; looked like a typical SMLE No1Mk3* sporter, but with that date and "Sparkbrook" stamped on the right side...


Once the rifle got here, I was quite happy to see this on the left side of the receiver:


So, what to do - refurb it as a No1Mk3, or No1Mk3*?

Cheers!

Lou

Information

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[Ridolpho]

Nice, Lou. Does it still have the original barrel, sight, etc from the conversion?

Ridolpho

[englishman_ca]

1912. It would be nice to see it as a full blown Mk.III.

A Mk.IV Cond. is quite a rare bird in any form or condition. Well worth working your magic on it.

[RobD]

Am I right in thinking that it should have a Mk III forestock and a Long Lee buttstock?

[louthepou]

Nice, Lou. Does it still have the original barrel, sight, etc from the conversion?

Ridolpho

The rear sight is the Mk3 type, with windage adjustment; so I'm pretty sure the barrel is also dating from the conversion.

RobD, good question about the buttstock; I really don't know. I wonder if I can find info about that in my Skennerton's book. And, I am thinking about getting a repro forend from EFD in the UK; will cost me a lot, but it's the only place to find a "fat belly" forend, as opposed to the ones seen on Mk3* rifles... And I'm pretty sure finding an original is not possible.

Lou

[smle addict]

Very nice find!

I have a Cond II and it has its original buttstock. There is a patch where the long-lee tang would rest, and is currently wearing a MkIII buttplate. I also have a Cond IV, and it appears to be wearing a standard MkIII buttstock. Both rifles reatin their original forends, and are cut/patched and modified to SMLE length. If you like, I can dig them out of the gunsafe and post a few pictures.

Best of luck!

[RCS]

Mine is an Enfield 1907 ConD 11*, barrel is also dated '07 and both the action body and barrel are serial number 6446 over x. Butt stock is a patched Long Lee with unit markings on the tang. Fore-end is patched-up Mark 1 with early nose cap. Rifle is still chambered for the Mark 6 cartridge.

note the barleycorn foresight

Believe this is an early Mark 1 action body that was used ?Attachment 68408Attachment 68409Attachment 68410Attachment 68411Attachment 68412Attachment 68413

[smle addict]

Here are some comparison photos of my two Cond LE's. Top rifle (light colored) is the Cond IV. The lower one (dark colored) is the Cond II. Both were converted from MLE Mk I*'s. The Cond IV looks to be wearing a standard SMLE Mk III upper handguard, while the Cond II has the early Mk I style. Both rifles have dial sight plates marked LES 2.

As I mentioned earlier, both rifles were converted from MLE Mk I*s (and the * has not been added later), yet both have a clearing rod channel that is patched/plugged.

RCS-very nice rifle! Never seen a Cond II*, and the barleycorn is an interesting feature.

[RCS]

Attachment 68421Attachment 68422


Notice the backsight on my ConD 11* is still regulated for the Mark 6 cartridge while the BSA 1906 Mark 1*** (not Irish) is regulated for the Mark 7 cartridge

[louthepou]

These pictures are very much appreciated, many thanks this is very helpful.

First order of business will likely be getting the proper forend... Let's spend some money!