Help Restoring Mk lll

[Jimbo 695]

Hi folks. I have a sporterized Mk lll, ShtLE 1918, matching bolt, receiver, barrel. I’d like to restore it. Where is the best place to get a bundle with all the woodwork and hardware I’d need, please, if anyone knows? Original sights still here, trigger mechanism also, but no magazine cutoff. Thanks everyone!

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[Alan de Enfield]

Hi folks. I have a sporterized Mk lll, ShtLE 1918, matching bolt, receiver, barrel. I’d like to restore it. Where is the best place to get a bundle with all the woodwork and hardware I’d need, please, if anyone knows? Original sights still here, trigger mechanism also, but no magazine cutoff. Thanks everyone!

I think you may struggle, what you need is up on the top shelf with the Rocking Horse Poop and the hen's teeth.

Original woodwork (in any sort of usable condition) has been almost unobtainable for a few years, there are a couple of companies making repro woodwork, but if you want to make it 'original' then you won't be interested in that.

Before you start the hunt, it may be worthwhile checking the headspace, no use bulding it up to find it is unsafe to shoot. Use a 0.074" 303 headspace gauge (can be called a No-Go or a field gauge, but check the dimension as SAAMI's term 'no-go' is very different to the UK military)

If you do find the parts you need you will probably have 2x or 3x $ in it compared to what it would cost to buy a complete 'as in service' rifle.

The benefit of building / assembling from a barreled action is that you learn how it all goes together, how it works, and how all the individual parts interface - remember these rifles are the last of Victorian engineering and every one was hand built and hand finished the parts are not "plug & play" every part (even the woodwork) needs 'PROPERLY FITTING'.

At least you have the 3 main pressure bearing components 'all matching' so are ahead of where I was.

I'm not saying 'don't do it' (I am one of many who has), but just be aware of the skill set & knowledge reqired and the likely costs before embarking on the trip.

I started with a barreled action and finished up with a "nice Bitsa" with components from almost every continent.

They are only original once - every thing else is a bitsa.

[AGB-1]

https://www.libertytreecollectors.co...?idCategory=62

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[Alan de Enfield]

https://www.libertytreecollectors.co...?idCategory=62

Good lead - but note that the major wood component (Forend) is sold out and has been 'almost for ever'.

[CINDERS]

Think they have repro wood sets here at usedguns.com.au postage may sting you I agree with Alan on the refurb I brought a Lithgow 1916 5th Military district as I was born and live in the state it was only a $100 but had no mag, no sling, no safety the wood had been sanded but still can just make out a fair few of the markings it had the Lithgow marked butt disc (Expensive & hard to come by) but no screw.
By the time I had sourced all the period correct gradually replacing the other parts except of course the main components then getting a Lithgow 5MD '07 1916 Bayonet and a 1916 5MD Lithgow scabbard the only thing I could not get was a 1916 Lithgow sling ended up with 2 actually both Wrights 1916 one Khaki the other Black (Not Blanco'd.)

That process I think took me close to either 9-10 years a PITA having to troll the net to get the period correct piece which amounted to 10 times the cost of the rifle not factoring in my time trolling the worldwide web and in essence its still a bitsa but is as close to how it left the factory as I could get it.
So embark on the journey but be prepared to spend some serious $'s as it appears that the worldwide prices are on the increase and by no small margin either.......Have fun.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Century had some DP rifles a short time ago. Might want to check there.

[AGB-1]

Curio Relic - Firearms - Surplus Corner Century

[Singer B]

I did a similar restoration project for a friend a couple of years ago and the wood was by far the hardest parts to find. It ran about $650 when all done but it felt really good to bring that 1916 rifle back to life.

[Jimbo 695]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I have some work ahead of me.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I have some work ahead of me.

It is a lot of fun. Enjoy and please keep us posted.