Restoring a No1 Mk3

[RaunchyRifles]

Hello everyone!
I have a project that I may need help with; it is a 1944 MA Lithgow SMLE sporter that has been brutally treated (someone should be charged for gun abuse) As much as I want everything to match and be as historically accurate as possible, I have limited funds and parts (mainly woods) are few and far between, so I ordered what I could find. This build could take weeks so just bear with me.
Anyways Lets get to the before pictures! This is after cleaning the crap out of it. Also if anyone knows what the markings mean, please feel free to share, that would be great.








Thanks!

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.

[M2phil]

Springfield Sporters, (ssporters.com) in Pennsylvania, will have a number of Australian and British SMLE parts and they're fairly inexpensive. FA is the Forbes feeder factory, OA is the Orange factory. BA is for Bathurst. "Slaz 44" on the handguard is the Slazengers sporting goods company, part made in 1944. I think that by 1944 Orange was doing SMLE rifle assembly, rather than Lithgow proper. Looks like a great project!

[RaunchyRifles]

I've contacted SSPORTERS and they don't ship to Canada I've found most parts on Ebay, but mostly looking for parts stamped OA to match the buttplate stamp.

[M2phil]

They don't ship to Canada?! Why, those....! I see their prices have climbed some, too. As far as parts, OA, FA, BA, and WA (Wellington feeder factory) marked are all good to go on your rifle. Best of luck!

[RaunchyRifles]

Yeah stupid ITAR ruining all my fun oh well...

[CINDERS]

Some one you know who has a friend with a friend (who knows what they are looking for and at with condition etc) that lives near the parts seller may pick you up a set of furniture and post it to you privately or is that not allowed.
Brian Dick has a good handle on posting stuff he may have a set of woods and bits you require, here is the link to his business web site good luck https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&r...gEfOrErbPh3D1Q

[RaunchyRifles]

Thanks but I think I have ordered all the parts I need. Just waiting for packages to arrive.

[browningautorifle]

Of course we'll want the after pics...

[RaunchyRifles]

Yes of corse!

[RaunchyRifles]

In what seems to be record timing for canada post, some parts arrived! Mainly the woods and rear sight protector!

fitting to action

Installing sight guard

now we wait for the band and the nose-cap. Now to find a stock that matches the forearms