SMLE rebuilds

[dogmatix]

Can't remember if I've posted this here.
Have done so on other shooting pages.

I had previous restored my 1942 Lithgow No1Mk3* SMLE from sporter to fully wooded using a locally made repro lower.

I also had recently acquired a peddled scheme (SSA marked) 1917 No1Mk3* SMLE receiver and barrel that I bought for a steal at $11.55. Plus I had a ton of spare parts lying around from a couple of stripped guns too far bubbafied to save and other parts collected randomnly.



After cleaning the 1917 barrel, it wasn’t too bad really.
The original plan was to put the action in a sporter stock, but thought better of it once I acquired an original Lithgow 1941 coachwood stock.



I then did a bit of juggling with parts. I moved the Lithgow coachwood stock to my 1942 Lithgow and used the repro off that for the 1917 build.
I purposely 'aged' the stock parts for this 1917 rebuild to match the buttstock by rolling/dragging down the concrete driveway for dents and scratches and used artists oil paints for the tints/stains. 

As finished, just in time for ANZAC Day this year.



The P1907 bayonet is a Nov 1917 Wilkinson which matches the rifle quite nicely.

I've also picked up a Lithgow May 1943 bayonet for my 42 Lithgow now.



Quite happy how the two SMLEs have turned out.
Here they are with my all original Longbranch No4Mk1*



Only trouble is that I have another full repro SMLE wood set sitting in need of a new donor action!

[Larry]

That top photo looks like it has a Heavy Barrel profile on it. You can tell as there is a big H stamped on the top at the breach end on the flat.

[in2anity]

Bravo dogmatic! Well done. How does it shoot? Have you shot it in a service match? Who are you planning on shooting ANZAC with?

[LawrenceA]

done a few smellys.
Any chance of an emily?

[wanneroo]

Looks good. Always good to see a bunch of parts become a rifle or pistol again.

[dogmatix]

Bravo dogmatic! Well done. How does it shoot? Have you shot it in a service match? Who are you planning on shooting ANZAC with?

I was supposed to shoot the ANZAC Day shoot in Rotorua NZ with the Central North Island Gun Club (Service Rifle), but got called into work instead unfortunately.
I was going to use my No4Mk1* though, as its a proverbial laser beam.

[dogmatix]

done a few smellys.
Any chance of an emily?

Definitely keen on one at some stage.
There are a few fully wooded ones around still. I'd prefer to get one of those, purely because missing parts from cut down ones are harder to find.

[dogmatix]

That top photo looks like it has a Heavy Barrel profile on it. You can tell as there is a big H stamped on the top at the breach end on the flat.

I trust your expertise on it, I didn't notice myself!

[dogmatix]

Looks good. Always good to see a bunch of parts become a rifle or pistol again.

Yes, I've been told I'm doing God's/Allah's/Buddha's/Giant Spaghetti Monster in the sky's work by rebuilding these old girls back to what they should look like.

[Bugman]

Well done. First class result.