Desportizing a SMLE and can't find a forestock

[Gumsehwah]

Hi everybody,

I've got a bugg. . . Er, a "sportized" Lee Enfield 1940 Lithgow SmLe no.1 mk. 3. I need a new forestock and can't find one. Oh, I can find wood for no. 4s and jungle carbines, just not 1mk3s.

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to substitute in a no. 4 forestock for a no.1? If not, can anyone help point me at a no.1 mk. 3 forestock?
Any help in this regard would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Gumsehwah//

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[browningautorifle]

Sorry we took so long to answer...I guess everyone's waiting for someone else to do it...you can't substitute a #4 for a #1 forestock. If you advertise here on the WTB you may have luck with wood. You may have to buy a donor rifle, like a DP or something in rough shape to get your wood. The benefit there is it will all match. There are companies that make furniture...maybe Boyd's has wood for these. Have you tried advertising on CanadianGunNutz for wood? That keeps it in Canada and you don't have to deal with the border?? Aldo, the Chilliwack gun show comes up in early March, there may be some there.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

BDL fixed me up with a very nice Beech forstock for a similar project. It does not match the Coachwood forestock exactly but beats a "bobber" or a useless SMLE (sans forestock) waiting on the "holy grail" coachwood forend. Here is a picture on my debubba project early on.

[browningautorifle]

He's got a good point, maybe BDL could sell you all four pieces and then it would be close at least...don't know about getting it across the border though.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

don't know about getting it across the border though.

I think BDL specializes in import/export. Some of Brian's posts to other threads on the subject leads me to believe he can do it if it can be done.

[barbarossa]

Gumsehwah, I would highly recommend you get on your computer and hook into eBay Australia. The Lithgow forestocks and other Aussie made SMLE parts show up there for sale with great regularity. DO NOT buy a DP stock assembly before searching there for a few weeks. Use search terms SMLE, Lee Enfield or 303 British and you'll be surprised what you find. And--these parts travel without restriction by either country custom services. Good luck!

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Gumsehwah, I would highly recommend you get on your computer and hook into eBay Australia. The Lithgow forestocks and other Aussie made SMLE parts show up there for sale with great regularity. DO NOT buy a DP stock assembly before searching there for a few weeks. Use search terms SMLE, Lee Enfield or 303 British and you'll be surprised what you find. And--these parts travel without restriction by either country custom services. Good luck!

I did try this without much luck (probably lack of $ and paticence). This is a good suggestion as an original Coachwood stock would add to the value. Either way you go hats off for saving another "bobber".

[Gumsehwah]

I'm really appreciating all this advice!

I'm new to the whole restore thing, and I bought the rifle as a moose gun, but I am also a history teacher by trade and I am a history junkie.
besides, butchering an artifact just doesn't seem "right" to me. :-/

I think the main thing is to not be in a hurry, and keep a lookout for the hardware needed, purchase pieces piece by piece.
I don't think I'm going to make any money on this (I mean, she's going to be a "frankinrifle" with all the different spare parts in her), but I've somehow become a little "obsessed" with seeing her (the rifle) the way she was meant to be.

[Brit plumber]

This one any good?

Lee Enfield No1 MK III Mag Cut-off Forearm NEW | eBay

You would need to follow Peter Ls tutorials on fitting it correctly.

[Gumsehwah]

Just added the cutoff and rear sight guide. She already looks better. :-)