No1Mk3 SMLE full restoration - from scratch

[browningautorifle]

even though the pitting is on one side

Peter Laidler and a couple others here are armorers and will probably see that and give you a final say, but in my mind...I'm with Cinders and would rip that barrel. It's hooped.

Now to flatly answer your pointed question, you can possibly polish that out with machine paper on a Mandrell, with oil and a drill...one side polishing won't be possible. You'll simply increase the chamber to an exaggerated dimension and stretch your brass to an un-reusable dimension. If you're going to buy factory ammo, you'll get away with it. If you reload then you can't.

[Vigilant]

Thanks for the advice gents by the way, thats a nice cut out of the barrel!

[Vincent]

Sarco just listed "like new" Original #1 MK3 barrels. I haven't seen them available for donkeys years.

#1 Mk3 barrel

They also have a buy 3 price of $299.95 but you have to call them to get it. Item LE3103.

[Vigilant]

I did a bit more research and worked out that im better off buying a new barrel at about 400 - 500 dollars in Austraia (before a gunsmith touches it!), as with our import and customs taxs plus the weight it will probably cost just as much, such a shame as I would love one of those barrels!

Looks like one final expensive hurdle is left :s

[Vigilant]

$900 later and a free magazine by my gunsmith and its all done! thanks to everyone for your help

[browningautorifle]

Well, at last it's done. Looks pretty good now. How does it shoot?

[Flying10uk]

It appears that he made a nice sympathetic restoration job of it from the picture.

[browningautorifle]

I had to look back to see the black wood, the fully crusted metal, still pitted but nothing can be done there. Looks worlds better.

[CINDERS]

Great job and perseverance as I said cost you a bit but you now have something that you had ties to, re discovered it then brought it back to its place and that my friends is awesome.