Ground dug CLLE

[Brit plumber]

I've got a ground dug CLLE that I'm looking to rebuild into a relic display piece. Can anyone tell me if a No1 Mk3 trigger guard and mag would fit on a CLLE? The sear on the CLLE looks diffrent to the Mk3 so would the trigger work? I've got a CLLE butt for it, whats the chances of finding the rest of the wood, even if it was tatty?

Also, are the threads BA? even the stock bolt?

ATB, Chris.

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[browningautorifle]

The only people I could imagine having enough parts to do this would be IMA, but after looking at their website they don't show anything. You would have to contact them personally. Otherwise you will have to continue fishing here.

[Fred G.]

Keep checking on ebay under Long Lee

[gew8805]

I have to admit, I am a little confused as to why you would want to do this. Where did it come from? Is this a battlefield recovery? If so, I would not do a thing to it but preserve it "as is"., it's historical and even monetary value is far above anything that you would have as a "rebuild into a relic display piece". There are collectors that would pay a fair amount to own such a piece just as it is now if you can document it's provenance, especially if it came from a battlefield on the Western Front, maybe even enough to purchase a working example.

[Aunt Bee]

gew8805- My thoughts EXACTLY!!

[Brit plumber]

Nope, it wasn't found on a battlefield, it was buried on the site of an old RAF maintenance unit. I dont want to restore it, just put wood work on it, a tirigger guard and mag I'm not doing anything to it that will alter its appearance or can't be undone with out damage (Excpet clean the threads out which arn't to bad). It would appear it was unceremoniously stripped of parts befoe being dumped.

[JBS]

I have to admit, I am a little confused as to why you would want to do this. Where did it come from? Is this a battlefield recovery? If so, I would not do a thing to it but preserve it "as is"., it's historical and even monetary value is far above anything that you would have as a "rebuild into a relic display piece". There are collectors that would pay a fair amount to own such a piece just as it is now if you can document it's provenance, especially if it came from a battlefield on the Western Front, maybe even enough to purchase a working example.

X3 Put it in a case as is with a map or location found.

[gew8805]

Nope, it wasn't found on a battlefield, it was buried on the site of an old RAF maintenance unit. I dont want to restore it, just put wood work on it, a tirigger guard and mag I'm not doing anything to it that will alter its appearance or can't be undone with out damage (Excpet clean the threads out which arn't to bad). It would appear it was unceremoniously stripped of parts befoe being dumped.

Hmmmm, ....... Well I still think I would keep it like it is with it's somewhat less than exciting but still interesting and thought provoking story. You would just be tying up parts that could be used in a legitimate restoration or rebuild of a functional gun. But, that's just me.

[Brit plumber]

OK thanks guys, I think I'll take your advice and just remove the cobwebs and PX24 it , and then mount it next to my 'Good' CLLE on the wall.

Just to add to the story, it was dug up from a RAF MU in the 1960s along with a large number of Webley MkVIs. It was left in the finders garage for the next 40 years where it rusted some more. I'm told that a large number of the Webleys and a even larger number of munitions are still buried on the site and have been covered with clay by the farmer because he's fed up with diggers (I dont know what the clay stops, unless its just a pain in the bottom to dig through).

[gew8805]

OK thanks guys, I think I'll take your advice and just remove the cobwebs and PX24 it , and then mount it next to my 'Good' CLLE on the wall.

Just to add to the story, it was dug up from a RAF MU in the 1960s along with a large number of Webley MkVIs. It was left in the finders garage for the next 40 years where it rusted some more. I'm told that a large number of the Webleys and a even larger number of munitions are still buried on the site and have been covered with clay by the farmer because he's fed up with diggers (I dont know what the clay stops, unless its just a pain in the bottom to dig through).

Understandable I guess, diggers can be a major pain. Here in Virginia we have a large number of Civil War sites. Everything from camp sites to battlefield and everything in between and diggers are always figuring new ways to try to get at places that they think may be productive. Most are honest and agreeable people who will abide by your decision as far as your property, but others are not below sneaking in during the middle of the night or when the property owner is away and they can make a serious mess for the owner to deal with. Like you say the clay won't stop them, but it probably just disguises the exact spot and makes it harder to find the "goodies". Of course that is a two edged sword in and of itself, they'll just dig more and bigger holes....