I need smle advice

[mattgunguy]

I picked this up recently and have been toying with the idea of refinishing it. First off im reasonably shure its a parts gun despite the nasty importer mark. ive been told the wood is unissed coach wood, butim new to the world of specifics of thing. just havent cared till recently. the barrel is blued and ive been told its a older bsa barrel. The reciever has been parked which is what is annoyiny the hell out of me. I've look at i dont how many pictures of lithgows. Blued, phospate (i think), and some just plain old paint, but never this dull gray park, have i found yet. what Im thinking is strip and blue (would this be correct for a 44 Lithgow), Fabricate some recoil blocks for the stock, and Ive thought about a finish on the stock, but been second guessing that. So its probally a no go. If I do, what type of finish would be correct (linseed?). Thoughts and opinions would be most welcome.























I admit I dont know squat, but Im more than willing to listen.

Thank you
Matt

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Without being too specific, I think you have an honest WW2 Aussie rifle. It has more stars than Douglas Macarthur but I wouldn't be too hasty about changing anything. Made in 1944? I think park was the thing then. Slazenger is correct for the wood. Coach wood is one type used. BLO or some thing similar would be correct. Someone that knows Austrailian rifles will be here in a sec to confirm but all the markings look corect to me. How's the bore, nice? If you don't like it, I'm sure someone here will be glad to relieve you of it...

[xa-coupe]

I barely know squat so you are in good company!
The finish is meant to be parkerised so really, the barrel needs some phosphating to match the rest.
It looks nice and I particularly like the unissued wood. I personally would just hit it with linseed oil as per original. To me it looks the best but perhaps I have been on this forum too long

[mattgunguy]

The bore is for lack of a better term damn near perfect. I love the rifle ( this is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine ). If the park is correct I guess I'll come to like it. The whole recoil plate thing still worries me.

[browningautorifle]

We have a couple of ex weapon techs here that worked on Lee's more than enough. If the question was put to Peter Laidler or Tankhunter for instance(PM) they might fill you in on that.

[xa-coupe]

There are a few articles on SMLE bedding. Check to see if the bedding os okay and make your decision from the results of that. Putting the recoil plates in won't be a big job but you will need to be exact and if it fits right for the moment, I don't know I would bother just yet. Once the wood pounds out a little, do it then. It could be years before you have to worry about it if at all.

[tbonesmith]

I wouldn't touch it. Looks just like it ought to, whether it's 100% original or not you won't improve it from where it is now.

[Patrick Chadwick]

You have a very fine rifle. Please do not try to "improve" it by altering the surface finish. What you need is linseed oil, elbow grease, and nothing else!

Patrick

[Peter Laidler]

Patrick and TBone (above) have said all that needs to be said about this rifle. Just linseed and elbow grease. You can get a can of elbow grease at any hardware shop. It's usually next to the striped paint

[mattgunguy]

linseed oil it is. i shall ignore my desire to to blue the reciever. what should work better for me. raw or boiled linseed oil, and tung oil would be a no no.