From the Bench!
I know there is one person out there that will be relived to see this post. I contacted Murphy's Law repeatedly about this rifle. He gave me some correct wood for it last time I was in Banjo Country (it was a bit furry though). I have bugged the guy to death on this, that, and the other thing on it.
So for right now here is where we are!
I will get some better pics up if the sun ever decides to show again around here. The main thing is that she is sorta back in fighting trim and has been "De-Bubbaed".
It fires the misfit venerable .303 British cartridge. I can't wait to take her for a spin. She has been quiet at least 30 years.
I'm trying to think of a proper British name for her. Since it is a SMLE, how about Emily? What say you?
Sweet name...go for it. I've a friend that has collected every variation known to man. Best action ever...
ReplyDeleteThanks Stephen! Good to hear from you.
DeleteLookin' pretty darn good . . . .
ReplyDeleteThank you Sir!
DeleteOh, that looks NICE. More pics, please. And get it up here soon. I'll give you a great recipe for .303 handloads.
ReplyDeleteMore pics as soon as the sun shows up again ML! Thanks. I would not be able to get her to this point without your help. The Indian stock has a hole in it for a screw to supposedly strengthen it. I just stuffed a screw in it for cosmetic purposes.
DeleteDang, so I need to start reloading rifle? Something else to bug you about, LOL =)
Nice work Kelly. She looks like an Emily.
ReplyDeleteThanks Six! I think so too.
DeleteReload or keep shooting shoulder-bruising, wallet-denting hunting ammo. A Lee 2-die set of dies'll take care of you and Hornady makes a fantastic .312 bullet that my Enfields love.
ReplyDeleteMakes perfect sense. I will need to see if the Hornady progressive press will work it or if someone can teach me the art of handloading (I don't know who that would be).
DeleteNiiiiiice! She has to come the next time you are up here!
ReplyDeleteThanks PH, I will be sure to bring her next time.
DeleteI ♥ Smellies!
ReplyDeleteThis one has definitely grown on me and I have not even shot it!
DeleteDarn nice restoration job.
DeleteBe careful though, Enfields are both addictive and known to reproduce in the gun safe when you're not looking.
Thanks Aaron, I will be careful!
DeleteLove "Emily." As in The Americanization of Emily?
ReplyDeleteShe's a thing of beauty.
My Enfields (yes, as in more than one) are of the No. 4 variety. One is a Savage made in 1941 back when we were truly The Arsenal of Democracy.
Some day I will have a No. 1, MkIII of WWI vintage to match my '03 and M-1917.
My buddy Bill has SMLEs from 3 different arsenals and each has a name specific to point of origin.
I just pulled Emily out. Enfield? Emily.
DeleteNext time you wander by WV I would love to see them. I had no reference model to go by.