2nd of 3 "resurrected" Enfield rifles, maybe a bridge too far

[oldmartins]

I wrote up the first rifle in an earlier post, 3 my local gunsmith gave me at a price I could not, but perhaps should have, refused. Somewhere under many years of grime, dirt, rust etc. there was a rifle. I picked them in no particular order, the 3 were all bad. Maybe better as parts guns but I could not consign them to that fate as they were matching number bring backs that some poor soul had forgotten and after his passing they were about to be thrown out when my friend rescued them. Then they sat in his "to do" pile for years until they became my projects. Matching number, non-import stamped rifles are not that common so I felt like I should see what could be done. This one is a 1917 BSA, even the stock is stamped with matching numbers. It's old English Walnut with pores so big they took forever to fill with
the oil finish. I think it's ok, the bore is finally clean and ready for the range this coming weekend. All parts were salvaged, somehow, and here's how it looks.
Fresh from the weeds:


And after a lot of time, it seems to have paid off. Feels tight, action is crisp as a SMLE should be, should be a good shooter. It won't compete in the full concours division but it
makes a decent daily driver.









too many photos, thought they might be interesting, one more to go.
These are great old rifles, I hope I gave one more of them some life.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Anzac15]

Great job. There's just something about these old war horses that get me going..I sure do wish that my gunsmith would call me up saying he had a bunch of old SMLEs for me!

[Father Ted]

Love it. Good job!
Cheers

[flying pig]

Beautiful old girl, pitted surface and all. Very nice! I really like the I've been through hell and made it back look of these old girls. I'd rather have 100 that show their personality than one that should be locked in the pattern room.

Very nice job cleaning her up too!

[Anzac15]

Kinda would like to see the other two!