Am I missing something!

[AD-4NA]

RobO

I suspect that the demand for "original-configuration" rifles is driving a sizeable "de-sporterizing" movement...Anyone checked on the similar issues with Mauser and Arisaka buffs?

Yes it definitely is a craze right now, but setting aside craftsmanship and the special knowledge and workmanship that enfields specifically take to fiddle with, I see relatively few restorations done well percentage wise out in the general public. Now, before anyone hits me with that "such and such's weren't matching from the factory and armorers used whatever they could gets their hands to keep the logistics chain supplied" line, I mean combinations of parts that could not possibly exist in service. I noticed a lot of "restorations" that make no sense what they combined, including actually rare parts on common rifles they do not belong on. I have seen enough projects like these recently that the topic has been on my mind lately. I like projects and restorations and appreciate wanting to make everything right again and we're very lucky to have all of the vendors we do but some of the things out there are eye opening!


On a similar or slightly off topic note I was even thinking about discussing a sticky or something for newcomers to Enfields and the hobby in general to be specifically aware regarding MkIII rifles and a warning to spend large amounts of money on those rifles wisely. (yeah right!)

I feel that a majority or a large percentage of the MkIII rifles with volley sights that come up on the market today are clearly fake or questionable. Now I do not mean they were built with an intent to defraud, only that they were built up as a representative example or a restoration but many of them are built up on rifles that would not possibly still have volley sights or some other MkIII features, and then they get sold on down the line eventually as the full deal.