303/25 1918 SMLE restoration

Improving and repairing firearms. Rifle bedding, barrel work, stock replacement and other ways to improve your firearms.

303/25 1918 SMLE restoration

Post by Mark.A » 20 Dec 2014, 10:59 pm

Greetings All :)

I saw a rifle in the window, and well I purchased it :)

Its a 1918 SMLE I am Feeeling its a BSA, but I am still trying to find out more information, it was cheap, as it is in bad shape, but the Bore is in goodish condition, The trigger isnt all that crisp, the bolt is well.. sad.. The stock needs some love (and is loose!) someone has tapped and drilled the reciever, and ground down the rear clip guide for a scope ... and the list goes on...

What I would like to ask is the following :)

1. The rear site, the spring on the flip up site (on one side is a small button, the other side looks like a toothed gear, that grabs the ribs on the sight) the spring or what is used internally has gone, and it flaps up and down ... well you get the idea. I can see that if you undo the scree (which is currently siezed and scored on the back so you cant remove it or it cant come loose) you can get to the slide... I am guessing there is a small spring to replace?

2. The trigger, there is a good 1cm of play in it, before you can feel it engage, and THEN there is is the pull before the pin is thrown. Anywhere I can get sine relevant information, I am guesing youtube, I will have to disssaemble and get some drifts I think...

3. The Safety can be engaged in all modes, half cock, full cock, and safe... doesnt phase me to much, as it works, regardless, but I suspect there may be more. Is this a Bad thing?

4. The Butt and Body is in a bit of a poor way, I am just wondering if there are any good guides on Rubbing it down, removing the varnish and restoring it... Youtube?

5. The scope mount (See images) I am guessing it was something that was commercially made for the rifle, I am wondering if anyone has someting in mind that would fit, OR Cover these god aweful holes... honestly, why people did this to these weapons is beyond me (well I know why, I just dont like it !!)

6. The barrell exterior is a bit battered, any secrets on fixing the blue finish...

7. Just out of curiousity more than anything else, converting it back to a 303-303 not a 303-25, would it involve replacing the barrell, would you have to change the bedding and stock, because of the larger barrell?

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And thats the way it is..

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Enflied 303/303-25
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and other odds and bobs..
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Re: 303/25

Post by gillian » 26 Dec 2014, 7:36 pm

Rear sight slide assembly
Image

Field side mount (Made for Lithgow SMLE and SLAZ MOD 24 rifles)
Image
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Re: 303/25

Post by Mark.A » 27 Dec 2014, 8:38 am

To be a reaaaaaal pain, can I get a ruler beside that last picture, it looks like it may fit...
And thats the way it is..

Proud owner of

Zastava .17HMR .22 .22WMR .223
Tikka T3 .308 .243
Marlin 30-30
Cz 30-06Spr
Enflied 303/303-25
Savage 22H
Haenel 300WM

and other odds and bobs..
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Re: 303/25

Post by south » 02 Jan 2015, 11:37 am

Mark.A wrote:I saw a rifle in the window, and well I purchased it :)


The sales guy would like you :lol:
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Re: 303/25 1918 SMLE restoration

Post by Mich » 02 Jan 2015, 11:46 am

Mark.A wrote:4. The Butt and Body is in a bit of a poor way, I am just wondering if there are any good guides on Rubbing it down, removing the varnish and restoring it... Youtube?


That's easy enough.

Get some medium and fine sand paper to take the existing finish off. No go over board and start removing stock... You just want to take the finish it. You will see lighter raw wood underneath once you start sanding. Only a fraction of a mm is probably required.

To refinish, Boiled Linseed Oil is usually considered the best. Apply wiping it smooth, and let dry for the day. Do that 3 or 4 times.

The factory finish on the SMLE is also Linseed oil AFAIK.
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Re: 303/25 1918 SMLE restoration

Post by anthillinside » 02 Jan 2015, 7:23 pm

If it's had a hard varnish applied or one of the newer urethane finished scraping is better than sanding.
This guy has a full series on stock finishing; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iee3Yqz ... 3iuBUF4Be8
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Re: 303/25 1918 SMLE restoration

Post by Tiiger » 04 Jan 2015, 7:34 pm

Sand paper really doesn't like urethane coatings.

Clogs it up faster than you can sand it.
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Re: 303/25 1918 SMLE restoration

Post by tiki » 08 Jan 2015, 1:53 pm

Hi Mark,

What'd it cost you for such a thing if I can ask?
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