Restoring a sporterized P13... My turn to play

[Surpmil]

You're doing a remarkable job, or you welder is!

Years ago I picked up a few boxes of "junk" from the estate of an old school gunsmith and in them were a number of hacksawed-off ears from P14s and various other evidences of long-ago sporterizations.

I kept them for just this sort of purpose, but of course only a rifle like this one really justifies the work, unless done just for the challenge or pleasure.

[tatou]

You're doing a remarkable job, or you welder is!

Years ago I picked up a few boxes of "junk" from the estate of an old school gunsmith and in them were a number of hacksawed-off ears from P14s and various other evidences of long-ago sporterizations.

I kept them for just this sort of purpose, but of course only a rifle like this one really justifies the work, unless done just for the challenge or pleasure.

I can't take credit for the metal work... only thing i can weld (it's not even welding) are copper pipes....
I got to give credit to the restoration shop i sent it to... they do incredible work.
So i thank you for them.
It's not a secret, they are well known, but i would prefer asking them first before mentioning them.

I agree, only a select few rifles deserve this kind of work... of course if someone has a shop and does the work themselves, anything is fair game.
I will do the wood stock myself, i have a few skills so at least i can say i had my hands in the project.

I also learned not to throw out any bits and parts, no matter how screwed up they are... you never know when they might be useful.

[tatou]

Small update.... these parts are sub projects all in themselves and require lots of work.
The ''band'' portion of the P14 nosecap/bayonet band was removed.
A new position for the cross screw was made by welding a piece in the new location.
Metal will be build up around it and properly shaped.
The old screw holes will also be filled in.


Here's what the original looks like

[tatou]

It's coming along nicely
Making something as this isn't easy when all you have are pictures.
I just found out that the cross screw is similar to the one of M1903 (after this part was done)
Thank you Promo for the help
On an original screw the treads are just below the head...so the corresponding treads on the band are on the left, NOT on the right side like on the MLE's or the SMLE's.
No biggie ... at least this way no one will confuse it for an original, it will still look similar from the outside.

[browningautorifle]

Nice, will turn out flawless after blue.

[tatou]

Not much of an update... but i haven't given up. NEVA !!
Covid is really making things go slow but it will get done.
The Nose cap is done and blued... another part scratched off the list.

[ssgross]

It will always be a restored rifle, no matter what i do or how much i invest in it

but it will always be YOUR restored rifle. And if you have kids you plan to pass it down to, it will always be YOUR restored rifle to them as well. Congrats for great work and effort.

[tatou]

but it will always be YOUR restored rifle. And if you have kids you plan to pass it down to, it will always be YOUR restored rifle to them as well. Congrats for great work and effort.

Thank you ssgross
Don't have any kids and i'm slowly creeping toward the point of no return LOL so one day someone else will own it.
I have restored a few rifles and you are right... there's a little of me in those rifles and they hold a special place in my collection.
I see people restore rifles to flip and make a few dollars but that is not what i'm after.... i like the challenge and the fact is is rather unique.
Cheers

[Agambard1990]

Truly amazing work. You should be incredibly proud!