Well, when I first asked machinist Dave to have a go at a couple of these he said 'no', which somewhat floored me, although he said it was because he didn't think he could do them without them deforming as he thinned the brass down. However, he hates admitting defeat on anything, & about ten days later I got a call: 'I've been mulling it over.........bring your pattern over & I'll give it a go'. Appended are the results. I don't have them yet, as he is completing some M1903 bases for a friend, & once both jobs are finished we will go over together & collect the parts.
Afraid I don't know the price until I get there.........I just have to accept that - but he's never robbed me yet.
Last edited by Roger Payne; 12-01-2023 at 11:02 AM.
Reason: clarification
Some folks are just so skillful, it's embarrasing that I cannot even saw in a straight line.
GOOD JOB - a master at work.
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
Roger.... those look great!! Aside from not having the knurling on the outer edge they look spot on. Please count me in for one if you have a spare available. I so deeply appreciate the help!!
Yes, I think the knurling may have been just enough to cause the thin brass to distort. There's no obligation, but one is yours if you want it. Might be a couple of weeks before I get them, though.
The knurling is certainly not a game changer for me. I definitely would like to get one so thank you so much for thinking of me when having these made! Just let me know when they come in and how much I owe you. Awesome getting these done!!
Q
Roger Just a dumb question from a retired Cocky (grain grower) to ask your machinist could the knurling be done first before the internal cutting and threading... As some say just asking for a friend
Not at all Bindi. That did actually occur to me as well, but only after he'd finished them.....! I'll ask him. I can't see why not, in principle.......but I'll grab them anyway.
Might be a week or so. Got a health scare on at the moment so this coming week a bit busy.
I'm inclined to think the originals were actually spun rather than machined; some are that thin.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Picked up the end caps a couple of evenings ago. I asked the machinist about the lack of knurling, trying not to come across as nit picking a great job, & his response was that he did not think it was knurling, but that the originals were probably pressed, resulting in the lines appearing for this reason. I must say I'm pretty sure it is knurling (it's too uniform for a start), but I didn't want to make him feel awkward, & they are very good indeed, so I didn't press it. More than anything I was glad to have them. He's looking at some more SMLE mounts for me for the first new year project. He's a real find, & a nice bloke with it.....
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