No. 1 Mk III sporter, nicely done?

[DeWayne Hayes]

I'm contemplating turning a bitzer No. 1 into an elegant, authentic looking sporter - something a British gentleman might have had in the 20s or 30s maybe.

Could anyone share some pics of something like this? I'm looking for ideas.

Thanks,
DeWayne

[Guamsst]

there are plenty of them out there that were turned out by actual companies. Do you want some already cut stocks? I should have plenty of abused wood laying around.

[DeWayne Hayes]

Thanks for the offer, but it would have to be wood that could be sanded smooth and not undercut the metal. Heavily abused wood generally has dings, gouges, etc. running too deep. There's a company called Macon Gunstocks that makes Enfield sporter wood - I'm going to see about having them cut me some.

[Sunray]

Pity Bishop is gone. They made very high end walnut sporter stocks for Lee-Enfields. Complete with cut checkering.
Those Macon guys are doing some nice work too. Not cheap, but not rediculously priced either.
http://macongunstocks.net/enfield_no_1_enfield_1917_rifle_stocks_122.html

[DeWayne Hayes]

I haven't talked to Macon yet but I'm confused as there's no inlet on the right side for the large flat bottom of the charger bridge. I've got a feeling there may be a lot of handiwork that goes into making one their stocks fit.

[DeWayne Hayes]

Guys, my knowledge of Enfields stops with SMLE's ... this sporterized rifle appears to be a MLE, correct? I see no safety on the left side - wouldn't that mean there should be a safety on the striker/cocking piece itself? I need some education. Is this a MLE with a SMLE bolt?

Thanks,
DeWayne

Scan down to the third rifle.

http://www.emmacustomrifles.co.uk/catmiscrifle.htm

[Griff Murphey]

There are some beauties that were done in England. The type is known as the "Lee Speed Sporter" and if you google that you'll find some images. When I was in high school in the 1960's a local gunshop (Morgan's on Jacksboro Highway) received a supply of them. I have often speculated they were a lot of "special services" guns to be checked out for hunting use at some long-ago British base in the UK or somewhere in the far flung empire. One or two had octagon or half-octagon barrels. I remember the workmanship was beautiful. I wish I had been far sighted enough to buy one (or two!)....

[Griff Murphey]

Guys, my knowledge of Enfields stops with SMLE's ... this sporterized rifle appears to be a MLE, correct? I see no safety on the left side - wouldn't that mean there should be a safety on the striker/cocking piece itself? I need some education. Is this a MLE with a SMLE bolt?

Thanks,
DeWayne

Scan down to the third rifle.

http://www.emmacustomrifles.co.uk/catmiscrifle.htm

I think this is a sporterized Long Lee Enfield and yes I think the original bolt has been lost and a replacement fudged-in.

[DeWayne Hayes]

Thanks for the input. I talked to Brian Dick - he thinks it's an early Lee Metford (MLM) bolt. Given the 1898 manufacture date of the rifle, the MLM bolt would be a plausible carry-over. The numbers are matching.

[Story]

DeWayne,
Some inspiration for you
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/Storyforu/LeeSpeedFaux2-1.jpg
Come on over and check out this forum
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=lee

[JBinIll]

I haven't talked to Macon yet but I'm confused as there's no inlet on the right side for the large flat bottom of the charger bridge. I've got a feeling there may be a lot of handiwork that goes into making one their stocks fit.

I've seen several reports over the years that Macon stocks require a lot of work to fit.Not for a novice and some experienced guys say never again.

[mack]

Spend some time puting one on a Garand and you will call into question both your sanity and the worth of the project. I have had several Macons but never, ever again. The are very, very nice wood but poorly executed. An Enfield is pretty complicated an install even with properly inletted wood.

As someone observed above, it's a shame that Bisphop is gone. Darned fine inletting and good wood in all but the lowest grade of wood.