GRI INDIAN Lee Enfield NO1 MK3 - State of the Rifle

[Devin E33]

Guys,

I wanted to get your opinion on how modified my Ishapore / GRI No1 Mk3 Rifle is currently. Other that have viewed this rifle have told me that this is a factory refurb, or stated that an individual only refinished the stock. The metal has not been refinished, but the stock has been refinished is confusing to me? The stock had been sanded at one time, you can barely make out the SA mark on the side of the stock. The cartouches on the bottom of the stock are very visible and deep. Is the finish accurate? Any help is appreciate on letting me know what I actually have here.

Pics attached from my newly built lightbox....

Thanks,
Devin

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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.

[Roy]

Looks to me like someone has buffed seven bells out of the metalwork and given the high spots a real shine - not military, if it were a parade rifle it might me chromed not buffed. Stock looks recently refurbished to me, it has a nice sheen though someone took care to preserve the cartouches. I dont know much about those Ishy's but I think that nosecap is later than your rifle. Well thats what I think. anyway, hope it helps

[Paul S.]

I agree that it appears to have been thoroughly 'tarted up', and that the nose cap is a replacement (from a 7.62 rifle).

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

I don't think it's really so bad. Some spots on the metal were likely buffed by a previous owner but that could probably be rectified. The nose cap, the forend with rear reinforcing strap and the simplified attachment of the rear sight leaf are consistent with a post-1951 Indian rebuild. The butt disc shouldn't be there.

[Peter Laidler]

The fit of the butt in the butt socked definately ain't an Armourers fit. Not even a blind Indian Army Armourers fit!

[Devin E33]

Thanks for the replies.

I guess my options are:
1) How to remove the semi-bright stock - Mineral Spirits to dull it out?
2) Since most of the Suncorite has been removed, would it hurt to apply Aluma hyde II (Matte) to the metal parts. I do not promote removing the prior history from the rifle, but I do not think it can hurt at this point?
3) How to rectify the buffed metal without painting?

Note - The nosecap numbered to the rifle as well as the magazine, the rifle is fully matching. I assume it was common for the Indians to rebuild these rifles, post war?

[Ridolpho]

DevinE33: The extreme "proud" wood on both sides of the socket is very similar to my 1965 Ishapore 2A1- looks a little goofy but in defence of the Indian armorers responsible I will say the forend to cheek fit is extremely tight (about the best I've seen). The wood used is also strange, with a lustrous, waxy appearance and feel and quite light brown in colour. If yours was the product of a fifties or sixties factory overhaul the metal finish applied might have been the rather horrific black paint as on my '65- good news is it wouldn't be hard to replicate with a rattle can and minimal skill.

[Devin E33]

DevinE33: The extreme "proud" wood on both sides of the socket is very similar to my 1965 Ishapore 2A1- looks a little goofy but in defence of the Indian armorers responsible I will say the forend to cheek fit is extremely tight (about the best I've seen). The wood used is also strange, with a lustrous, waxy appearance and feel and quite light brown in colour. If yours was the product of a fifties or sixties factory overhaul the metal finish applied might have been the rather horrific black paint as on my '65- good news is it wouldn't be hard to replicate with a rattle can and minimal skill.

Thank you for the info, I will post pictures of my rattle can experience!

-Devin

[jona]

I agree that it appears to have been thoroughly 'tarted up', and that the nose cap is a replacement (from a 7.62 rifle).

The same nosecap was used on 303 rifles as well(1945 0n).