New-ish SMLE Project

[tsquared82]

I while ago, I decided to try and build an SMLE from the ground up from new old stock. The crux of the idea stemmed from my stumbling across a new, in the wax, No.1 Mk.3 barrel from South African origin. That as well as finding some unissued stock of the same lot... minus the buttstock, which is Australian in origin and is marked SLAZ.

I had a devil of a time trying to piece it all together... foolishly not taking into account the sheer amount of hand fitting that went into all these rifles. I had also intended to put a nice blue on all the metal and a glossy finish on the wood furniture, but opted for an arsenal finish akin to a Lithgow made SMLE instead.

I stumbled across Croc's Gun Shop in New Mexico, and worked with Anthony there to get all the pieces to fit properly as well as having all the metal parkerized with Manganese Phosphate. Now all that is left is to do a load of woodwork.

This thread is mostly to show my current progress in a, 'As New As Possible' SMLE. The only 'real' used part is the receiver... which I highly doubt my abilities to acquire a new one at that, but is made by London Small Arms.

I am in the market for a good scope mount though. I know there are loads of threads out there about that, so I won't really push that matter here. But Hopefully I will find a side mount replica of sorts in the near future before I slap everything together.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Yup, they can be a bugger...but once you have it they sure look nice. Looks like you're well on the way too. Now the side mount scope on the other hand...you can use a TO1 mount and it'll be looking very good, if you HAVE to put a scope on it.

[newcastle]

I think I have a new OKd stock unfinishedAussie coachwood buttstock somewhere. Long I think. I Will root it out of I can this weekend if you're interested

[30Three]

Why not use a Match dioptre rear sight such as BSA or AG Parker. With the new barrel and properly set up it should be a good shooter!

[Surpmil]

There aren't many options for scope mounts that don't mean drilling holes, which would be a pity after all that work and expense. S&K did make a no-drill mount for the No.1, but it still requires removing a bit of wood. They gave up making that mount though, probably because the top of the charger bridge on a No.1 is not flat enough or consistent enough in dimensions to make a stable base. Your most authentic option would be a repro of the base Parker Hale made for the No.1 during or after WWI which sat in the backsight base and was intended for the Winchester A5 scope. The next option would be a Weaver rail "scout" base that also fits in the backsight base and would mount a long eye relief scope; nothing "period" about that though!

Lots of info on your iron sight options here: Service and TArget Rifle Sights ~ Parker-Hale and B.S.A.

Nice looking parts. Some careful whittling for the butt marking disc eh? That LSA receiver has probably seen plenty of action.

I see you got the barrel seated on the shoulder as well as the rear face of the barrel(?). Always a good thing IMHO.

The finish won't be to everyone's taste here, but you can always change that if you find someone who does a nice rust blue.

[Peter Laidler]

I agree with BAR and Surpmil (threads 2 and 5). Maybe that grand old lady deserves better than being drilled for a scope.

[browningautorifle]

It would also cover or delete the "EY" marking on the barrel ring too.

[MJ1]

Wow! Well done so far and good luck. I feel so much like I cheated when I just bought a new Lithgow. Oh the shame !! Please keep us posted on progress. I love saves and proper restoring.

Cheers

[tsquared82]

Yup, they can be a bugger...but once you have it they sure look nice. Looks like you're well on the way too. Now the side mount scope on the other hand...you can use a TO1 mount and it'll be looking very good, if you HAVE to put a scope on it.

I'll take a look at that scope mount. My hopes were for an old side clamping mount that is detachable... But that does seam like looking for a needle in a stack of needles.

I may just cut my losses and go with iron sights. More of a fun challenge to volley your rounds at targets many yards down range.

---------- Post added at 01:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:44 PM ----------

I think I have a new OKd stock unfinishedAussie coachwood buttstock somewhere. Long I think. I Will root it out of I can this weekend if you're interested

Thanks for that, but I'll hold off for the time being. I think the current stock that I have will turn out fine... I just had a mongral of a time getting that brass butt plate to fit it flushly.

---------- Post added at 01:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:46 PM ----------

Why not use a Match dioptre rear sight such as BSA or AG Parker. With the new barrel and properly set up it should be a good shooter!

I'll certainly take a look into something like that!

---------- Post added at 01:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 PM ----------

There aren't many options for scope mounts that don't mean drilling holes, which would be a pity after all that work and expense. S&K did make a no-drill mount for the No.1, but it still requires removing a bit of wood. They gave up making that mount though, probably because the top of the charger bridge on a No.1 is not flat enough or consistent enough in dimensions to make a stable base. Your most authentic option would be a repro of the base Parker Hale made for the No.1 during or after WWI which sat in the backsight base and was intended for the Winchester A5 scope. The next option would be a Weaver rail "scout" base that also fits in the backsight base and would mount a long eye relief scope; nothing "period" about that though!

Lots of info on your iron sight options here: Service and TArget Rifle Sights ~ Parker-Hale and B.S.A.

Nice looking parts. Some careful whittling for the butt marking disc eh? That LSA receiver has probably seen plenty of action.

I see you got the barrel seated on the shoulder as well as the rear face of the barrel(?). Always a good thing IMHO.

The finish won't be to everyone's taste here, but you can always change that if you find someone who does a nice rust blue.

The barrel work was courtesy of Croc's gun shop, who specializes in Enfield work. He actually saved me from a bubba'd job
On it by another gun smith I randomly took it too. Well work the money to get that rectified.

Yep, you called it, took a little bit for me to get that hole cut out to fit the unit disc. They may have been removed from the rifles for many reasons... But I the it still adds character to have it in place.

The finish I went with, Croc had me convinced to go with it just due to the fact that I will be regularly using it and it would offer the best protection. Further on down the road I may entertain removing the finish and going for a rust blue and a nice walnut and truoil stock. Honestly, I'm starting to lean that way as my linseed oiling isn't going too well hah!

---------- Post added at 01:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:53 PM ----------

Wow! Well done so far and good luck. I feel so much like I cheated when I just bought a new Lithgow. Oh the shame !! Please keep us posted on progress. I love saves and proper restoring.

Cheers

Great! I'm glad you enjoy seeing the progress. I'll keep this page updated.

[browningautorifle]

I may just cut my losses and go with iron sights.

Sort of what we're hoping you do...they don't need optics. They look great as issued, but it's yours after all.