Thread: Need help with SMLE

Thanks to all the users useful comments and Kimber 7mm-08 for supplying advice and parts. I changed direction and bought a 1939 Lithgow SMLE No1 MkIII sight unseen off the yellow sight for parts and decided this would now be the restoration project. The VMA stock although very doable is a challenge to a SMLE novice doing a stock fitting (done other stocks from scratch but the SMLE is a whole different challenge). I've been following the Peter Laidler article on SMLE stock fitting and after about 45 hours i'm about 40% done. now i know why the original stocks sell for gold prices. I'm amazed at the time and skill the wartime stockmakers would put into these rifles. I now understand why the soviets went with the PPSH-41 subguns for mass production. I'm using as much of the original wood and parts as possible and not taking any shortcuts (like not cutting off the end of the mkIII stock bolt and using the factory clips). its marked for the long butt and it has its original with butt plate (even had the oiler bottle inside along with the leather washer). I hope to have it done in about a month.