What happened to this LSA No1Mk3*?

[louthepou]

Hi folks,

I recently visited a man who had to deal with his deceased father's extensive collection. I showed reasonable self-control and came back with only three rifles. Among them, a rather new 1950 LongBranch No4 But I digress.

One of them is this LSA No1Mk3. At first glance, I thought it's simply a No1Mk3 who was refinished by some guy in his basement. But the metal refinishing shows precision. Sorry about the bad picture of the markings, it's LSA Co, 1918. The numbers match, even on the nose cap. So, is there any other explanation? Done by a gunsmith, for one client? Thanks for any hypothesis,

Lou

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[RJW NZ]

It reminds me of rifles I've seen cosmetically restored as presentation pieces ie someones retirement, or for display as a tribute item, there was someone in the US selling a range of bolt service rifles for that purpose. They weren't restored entirely correctly ie the finish chosen, but look nice enough. Anyone know who that business was?.
You're right, they did a careful job of it,...,

[Roger Payne]

You may well be right Roger. I was going to say that the rifle also looks rather like one of the specimens that were 'refurbished' by Edna Parker (AJ Parkers). She was never a one (God bless her departed soul) to let a rifle go out in good honest order......it always had to be prettified first.

ATB

[RJW NZ]

You may well be right Roger. I was going to say that the rifle also looks rather like one of the specimens that were 'refurbished' by Edna Parker (AJ Parkers). She was never a one (God bless her departed soul) to let a rifle go out in good honest order......it always had to be prettified first.

ATB

Thats actually pretty interesting. Were her rifles ID'd as being refurbed by them? There's a bit of a trend for presentation type Enfields showing up in Canada, and I've been wondering what the source has been. Perhaps?

[tbonesmith]

Is it bluing or paint?

[Peter Laidler]

Varnish, knee deep on rifle woodwork............ the pity of it all! Just try shooting one in the rain or on a hot sticky day when it's varnished and see what a pleasure it is to hold. Only my opinion of course but based on having had to shoot them in the driving rain when really, we should have all been back in our bashas, tucked up in our beds. But, as they say, if it ain't rainin' it ain't trainin' so carry on shootin'

[Brit plumber]

It almost looks like a fine black sray paint.

[louthepou]

Indeed, it's not blueing, it is some sort of coating. Nice though, uniform.

[Peter Laidler]

The Basra Palace Guard had SMLE rifles like this. Coated in thick varnish and cheap chrome. If I showed you one, it'd put you off varnish for life - and chrome! It's like jacking up the rear and putting great big wide rim wheels on your dignified and ladylike MGB

[RangeRover]

It's like jacking up the rear and putting great big wide rim wheels on your dignified and ladylike MGB

Hear, hear. OT, but had to jump in on this point.

RR
'64 B roadster (red)