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  1. #1
    Legacy Member tsquared82's Avatar
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    New-ish SMLE Project

    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 Australianicon 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.
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    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.
    Regards, Jim

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    Legacy Member newcastle's Avatar
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    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

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    Contributing Member 30Three's Avatar
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    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!

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    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    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.
    Last edited by Surpmil; 09-17-2016 at 12:25 PM.
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    I agree with BAR and Surpmil (threads 2 and 5). Maybe that grand old lady deserves better than being drilled for a scope.

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    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    It would also cover or delete the "EY" marking on the barrel ring too.
    Regards, Jim

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    Legacy Member MJ1's Avatar
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    Wow! Well done so far and good luck. I feel so much like I cheated when I just bought a new Lithgowicon. Oh the shame !! Please keep us posted on progress. I love saves and proper restoring.

    Cheers
    MJ, don't take this personally, but that's crap.
    muffett.2008

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    Legacy Member tsquared82's Avatar
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    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by browningautorifleicon View Post
    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 ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by newcastle View Post
    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 ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by 30Three View Post
    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 ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by Surpmil View Post
    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 ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by MJ1 View Post
    Wow! Well done so far and good luck. I feel so much like I cheated when I just bought a new Lithgowicon. 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.

  13. #10
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tsquared82 View Post
    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.
    Regards, Jim

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