Thread: SHTLE Mark 3 conversion

Hi everyone, I have got my fathers 1915 SHTLE Enfield that I’m hoping that I can get returned to full wood. Can anybody recommend someone who could do that for me? It was my fathers pig hunting rifle for a long time so I’m pretty keen to get it tidied up. Also, does anyone have any idea how much a project like that would cost? Thanks

Hundreds dollars. Two top wood pieces, one bottom wood piece (both reproductions from somewhere in Oz), middle band if it is missing, hinged band, the front end and a couple special screws to go with that.

There was a reason btw for chopping off the extra wood. Why not just bed it well and set up the trigger right and then get it Ceracoated?

The SMLE sporter is an important part of NZ history, nothing wrong with having one - quite the opposite. And this way it will still be THE exact gun your father used.

I did it with my Mk 111
Cost me more for the woodwork, than I paid for the rifle.
Imported the woodwork from Canada.
Took over a year of gathering bits and pieces, happy with it, though.

There's a chap on trademe, username ffoeg58 I think, that makes reproduction stocks in NZ, I think they're birch, not walnut or coachwood etc as would have been original, and are around $220. They look good quality but I haven't received mine yet so I haven't got hands on. The next most expensive bit is probably the nosecap I suppose, then you'll want the top wood set, barrel band, rear sight protector as I'm assuming his was removed as most were, few screws and bits and pieces, you're probably looking at $500 all said and done for the bits, keep an eye out here and on trademe if you want to go through with it, but I'd say it'll take a while to scrounge all the parts.

It is becoming so hard to find parts these days and you would probably have to settle for repro woodwork at least. As such I would be leaning towards keeping it as it is. 303s are still fun to shot and you would be more likely to use it as is than after it is restored