LSA Co Ltd No III restored.

[BurtonP]

Picked up a sporter on the weekend that was calling to me. I've done a couple of No4 restorations, but not a SMLE. I've got to say it was a real challenge, and took a lot of hours to get sort of right. I'm not happy with the draws or the nosecap fit yet, but it'll get there. The action is solid and and this LSA at least lived up to their reputation for quality. Now to see how it shoots.

Cheers,
B.

Information

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[BurtonP]

I should add that the stock set is one of Ralph Shaw's excellent reproductions.

[browningautorifle]

the stock set is one of Ralph Shaw's excellent reproductions.

Very nice looking furniture in place there...

[Bindi2]

Nose cap if you are referring to the bit the bayonet attaches to it is the Bayonet Boss. If the draws are not spot on the accuracy will not be and the draws will be destroyed very quickly. What sort of timber is used for the furniture. Hardness wise as well

[BurtonP]

Hi Bindi2,
Yes, I intend to get the draws right before I go shooting. The stock is all walnut, so it will have a bit of life in it. It's not that Australian coachwood that I've read about. Having said that, I might put in some copper/brass shims in the draws anyway.
Cheers,
B

[BurtonP]

One of the interesting parts of the rifle that I've not seen before is the foresight post. Is this a post service life modification?

[Bindi2]

One of the interesting parts of the rifle that I've not seen before is the foresight post. Is this a post service life modification?

Post service Mod probably for target shooting at some stage but there are those that use that type of sight for hunting as well.
Walnut is ok the plates are good to use if you cut to much wood out, a simple fix , a means to get the barrel to lay straight in the forend. Shim metal.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Definitely an "aftermarket" sight blade.

Also interesting is the apparent lack of the tiny extra "window" at the top of the "muzzle hole" in that nose-cap, and the decided lack of a number on it. Has someone recently machined off the front of the bayonet boss; I don't recall seeing machining marks like those before.

A "true" Mk lll would have volley sights fitted but, depending on service history, could have been "upgraded" to a lll* by the deletion of the volley sights and the deletion of the windage set-up on the rear-sight. Magazines were different as the Mk lll was coming into service at the same time the Brits were trying to develop their answer to the German S bullet, a process that took quite a while. Once Mk Vll ball became the "official" cartridge, sights and bedding had to change to adjust the rifles to the new ammo.The British Army marched off to WW1 at a time of major technological transition. Even if they were carrying Mk lll rifles, most were issued Mk Vl ammo, because that's what was "issue" and the fodder for which the rifles and machine-guns were regulated.

This also applied to Australia, whose brand-new rifle factory had commenced production of the Mk lll rifle in 1912.

All that aside, once you sort out the fore-end bedding, (draws, up and down pressures, etc) see what it will do. Just bear in mind that all that barrel bedding was designed to optimize performance with ONE type of ammo, i.e. the issued ball of the day.

[BurtonP]

Being a restored sporter, it didn't have its original nose-cap. The one fitted is I suspect a recent-ish Indian version. I am looking for a more appropriate version with the stacking swivel point. I take your point about what was originally on the III, it has a slot for the cutoff, and I might source and fit one. Whether there was a volley sight or not I will never know, I suspect for a 1916 dated rifle they were in transition between III and III* and it might never have had one. I wonder if I should replace the sight post then if it's definitely aftermarket?
Cheers all,
B.

[CINDERS]

A small thing I noted is the cross screw holding the nose cap on is possibly incorrect as the head is not sitting into the recess provided so they are a pretty easy source, see pic of my Lithgow 1921 nose cap & screw how it sits into the recess. Nice looking rig though congrats.