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Enfield rescue, need some help!
I saved "an Enfield" from the local pawnshop. I think it's an Enfield Mk III SMLE, but I'm not versed in these rifles at all. I'm providing some photographs. I can tell that the firearm was manufactured by B.S.A. and that it appears to be a Mk III, based on the markings on the receiver piece that separates the front furniture from the rear. Up on the receiver and on the barrel are the serial numbers "I90415", and the receiver is stamped "England" under that SN.
Other than that you'll notice that someone appears to have painted it khaki green at some distant time in the past, and more recently someone decided it needed to be in a plastic stock...because...well...reasons I guess.
My goal is to identify it, and possibly it's age and provenance. I am also going to try to collect all the parts necessary to put a correct military stock back onto it. I'd appreciate any help anyone can provide!
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07-06-2019 02:07 PM
# ADS
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Its age (date of birth) is under the "BSA" on the butt-socket. (191x)
The 2.22" and 18.5 tonnes per square inch markings are UK civilian proof marks (showing it was sold out of service and into the UK gun-trade)
Complete furniture sets are very hard to find now and if you do find one it wouldn't be surprising to see it at as much as $500-$600.
You can learn an awful lot a bout the rifle by 'bringing it back to original' but it would be at a financial cost that you could never recover.
You could by an all matching original for less that the refurb will cost you, and it will always be a 'bitsa'.
I have done it and got one - no where else in the world is there one the same.
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
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Go here: Parts List Schematic | Numrich
They have most of what you will need to restore the rifle. It's worth doing!
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I would certainly agree that it is worth doing. I have about forty SMLE restoration projects, most of which will probably be inherited by someone else! However, as Alan said, the parts you will need are available but are becoming increasingly expensive, so unless you fell really lucky, you'd need to accept that you're doing it because you want to, rather than because you're hoping to make money out of the process.
If you decide to go ahead please do keep us posted. If you have difficulties sourcing any bits from the commercial suppliers do ask here as it never ceases to amaze me how helpful people are on this forum when one of us is in need.
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thanks for the feedback so far
Thanks to everyone so far who has chimed in on my Enfield. I don't intend to sell it...I have a bad habit of keeping things that no one else wants. According to the pawn-shop owner, this Enfield has sat on his wall for almost 2 years! I got it for $175, and I'm going to have to budget the pieces(retired Navy, NOT rich!) but it'll be back the way it's supposed to be eventually!
I refinished this old Winchester 94 after I found it for $125 in another local pawnshop. I local gunsmith did the metalwork, and I did the stock
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Check to see if it shoots ok first. And then go for it! You will know your rifle backwards. But beware, one is never enough.
Keep Calm
and
Fix Bayonets
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Thank You to Roy For This Useful Post: