New-built No 1 Mk 1***

[RobD]

Being bored, I just thought I'd share pictures of my recent acquisition, just so as to receive compliments, you understand, and to show that great craftsmanship still exists in this de-skilled world of ours.
Phil Rose built it up for me as a "new rifle" from scratch, selecting as the starting point a very good Mk 1*** 1905 dated Naval receiver, with many un-used parts e.g. bolt body, rear upper hand guard, early magazine, nose cap, etc. The barrel was an unfired South African barrel.
I am absolutely delighted with the result and it shoots beautifully.
I particularly love the sight picture of the early sight with its shallow Vee.
I chose a high velocity rear sight ramp so I can use Mk VII - type reloads.
The stock disc is a battlefield pickup from the Somme.

Information

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[bigduke6]

Very nice and a credit to the builder....... the butt disc is interesting, 17th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) ?

[Ridolpho]

RobD: Very nice! I assume the Mk III charger bridge was already installed on the action body? Skennerton notes the existence of Mk I***'s with this modification and suggests they originated at Naval Depots. In a world of increasingly (and ridiculously) high priced originals, I think a custom built rifle like this makes a lot of sense, particularly for those of us who like to use them.

Ridolpho

[RobD]

Ridolpho, yes, the receiver had the charger bridge as shown - and it has the N for Naval.
Bigduke, yes, the disc is indeed 17th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Poplar and Stepney Rifles), and it was found not far from High Wood, where I assume the original rifle was probably blown up by a shell.

[Roger Payne]

Rob, the 47th (London) Div cemetery & extension is situated directly opposite High Wood. They were very heavily involved in its capture. There is a memorial gateway to them in front of the school/village hall in Martinpuich just down the road.

Lovely rifle by the way. Mind you, Phil does a good job.

[browningautorifle]

Very nice rifle, I always thought the early patterns look like artwork.

[RCS]

Excellent restoration (I have done a few Mark 1*** rifles too) very much like the two Mark 1** IP rifles in my collection. They started out as a BSA 1904 and Enfield 1903. The
BSA was converted in 1917 and the Enfield in 1914 with the charger bridge, straightening of foresight protective ears and other upgrades to resemble Mark 111 rifles but remained
Mark 1** IP

[usabaker]

That's a great looking rifle thanks for showing it.