SMLE with cracked draws

[James35]

Hi there, I have a 1918 SSA SMLE Mk.1 No.III* 'peddled scheme' rifle with cracked draws. I've done a lot of research, and reading (especially on these forums!) on what the process is to repair.

My problem is, I don't have the means necessary to conduct such a repair (nor do I trust myself, to be honest). I can do fitment of the stock, but the initial repair I'd rather have someone with the know-how handle it.

Can anyone recommend a reputable person for such a job?

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[Havenot]

I used a skinny chisil a hacksaw...some scrap walnut and high grade super-glue...fixed my SSA 1918 draws up(walnut forearm). The wood does need degreased. Any competent gunsmith should be able to handle that. There are several different methods from screwing in brass blocks to glue and pegging in wood blocks. I made and fitted scrap walnut parts to replace the missing chunks...then used the chisile to clean out enough wood to glue in replacement draws. I just looked at an Indian 2A1 with typical draw repairs...they pegged them in with small wood pegs

The hard part is getting the forearm fitted back to the rifle....chisil off a thin sliver left and right and try it...again and again until suddenly the forearm snaps on!!...Then get worried because you cant get it back off! Fit it just a touch more until left and right are even and it doesn't require the strength of Hercules to take it off the rifle or put it back on.

[scharfschutzen63]

BDL Ltd. in South Carolina is your man. I think he advertises here on the forum.

[CINDERS]

Brian Dick is the man from BDL its his company and from reports here on the forum does high quality work, the stocks on our 303's are worth saving due to the high cost of a NOS replacement plus fitting on top of that.
They do have replacement reproduction here in Aus but the cost of mailing them would be inhibitive over seas.

[James35]

Cheers everyone! I'll see about contacting Brian to get this rifle repaired. As much as I'd like to try my hand at it, I'd rather put her in the hands of an expert.

[CINDERS]

Way to go.