SMLE No1 MkV Restoration (Part's 1 thru 7)

[bigduke6]

After a lot of other projects etc, i thought it was time to make another start, Just a recap for those who may not have seen it in the original state and what i was left with. Dont like to repeat myself but as this should be completed in the next few weeks i thought id start at the begining and continue to its firing stage, plus some of the original pics have moved to another folder.

It was bought (with out seeing ) for the action ( advertised as a sporterized SMLE £60),
I was under the impression i was getting No1 Mk111, and not one to complain I kept it.

Before and after a strip down with the parts that would go again.











At this stage, i needed a few things, all woodwork, nose cap + spring and plunger, mag cut off, a rear sight and barrel.

As the action had undergone some major work by Bubba, i cleaned up the Breeching up ring, and reblued this part along with the top of the charger bridge and the bottom of the mag. (rust blue) (recipe at bottom).







You can still see bubba,s work regarding the hardened pin,or screw he has used to plug a hole he drilled, the bluing took to the soft center but reluctant to to take to the side, i had stop the process there as the match was perfect.
Last 2 pics above show the action with the mag cut off, i purchased this with screw, and the plunger and spring for the nose cap last year at the War and Peace show,from:

D S Solutions DS-Solutions
Very helpfull and freindly to deal with

Rust Blue: I use a salt solution (Salammonaiac), area to be done has to be clean, apply with a paper towel etc, and leave to rust, in some cases i leave a soaked towel on the area until dry than remove, once rusted, boil in distilled water approx 20 mins, the area then needs the black oxide removing with a soft wire brush, steel wool or scour pad. the whole process has to be repeated approx 3 or more times for best results.

(Tip: after cleaning the area, i tend to clean it again with the solution and then after it has dried start the process.)

Patience is required with rust blueing, you can speed it up, but for the times i do it, i use mother nature. Its a hit and miss affair in the begining,I strongly recomend testing on scrap before your confident to use this process on your pride and joy, i started to test on old barrels for the best solution, when to boil, how long to leave to rust etc.

I would recomend the following book: Firearm Blueing & Browning by R.H. Angier
a must for DIY man.

Will try and get part 2 posted in the next few days.

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