I finally got a SMLE. Picked up a semi-sporterized model missing a few pieces. It seems most of the parts are available except for the wood. Anyone know where I can get a set, preferably original? It's a 1943 Mk III.
Good and bad news. The good news is that Indian forestocks with the "Ishy screw" are the easiest to find. Bad news is that forestocks of any stripe are hard to find these days. Springfield Sporters is only listing complete Drill Purpose sets where everything is DP marked and there's a cutout in the forestock where the barrel chamber was dewat'd. I checked my spares bin and I have exactly one No1 MKIII forestock left. It's ex-Indian with the Ishy screw and no cutout. However, it does have a faint DP mark in front of the trigger guard. PM me if you can't find anything better and are interested. Doubt I'll ever use it.
This gun was painted black all over. I have removed most of it. The parts I have seem to be in decent condition, just have to figure out what the missing stuff will cost.
This gun was painted black all over. I have removed most of it. The parts I have seem to be in decent condition, just have to figure out what the missing stuff will cost.
Springfield Sporters has a $25 "kit" of stock hardware w.o. DP marks. That'll take care of the metal bits. HGs are easy to find. Indian SMLEs are routinely found with the HG "ears" removed so you don't have to find intact examples to be correct.