Milsurp After Hours

Here are a few more of my SMLE & Enfield rifles;

oldironsights wrote:The No2Mk1** feels very good in my hand, just like a target pistol.

I agree, the MkI*/** finger groove grips feel very natural in the hand, but that DAO trigger leaves a lot to be desired. The DA pull on the SA/DA pistol is actually a bit heavier but the grips are also more Spartan.

oldironsights wrote:Got me to drooling over the windage adjustable rear sight for the No1 Mk3.

I've been debating about that part as well. If the part was for my K98 I would have done it in a heartbeat, but my No1 MkIII* had to be all-matching an non import marked

On that note, zeroing a SMLE by changing and drifting the front sight is a royal pain. I don't have a SMLE sight cramp so I've been using a method that employs an AK sight tool, spring loaded punch, and a ball peen hammer and brass drift.

oldironsights wrote:Here are a few more of my SMLE & Enfield rifles;

Those are some beautiful rifles. Is that an M1917 or a Pattern 14 Enfield? I'm not familiar enough with the Pattern 13-derived rifles to tell the differences (aside from the original Pattern 13 with its odd finger grooves).

Drake wrote:

oldironsights wrote:Here are a few more of my SMLE & Enfield rifles;

Those are some beautiful rifles. Is that an M1917 or a Pattern 14 Enfield? I'm not familiar enough with the Pattern 13-derived rifles to tell the differences (aside from the original Pattern 13 with its odd finger grooves).

The one in question in the second photo is a U.S. Model of 1917 made in Eddystone factory. It is an arsenal rebuild, using parts from Remington, Winchester, & Eddystone. It shoots M2 ball very, very well!

Drake wrote:

oldironsights wrote:The No2Mk1** feels very good in my hand, just like a target pistol.

I agree, the MkI*/** finger groove grips feel very natural in the hand, but that DAO trigger leaves a lot to be desired. The DA pull on the SA/DA pistol is actually a bit heavier but the grips are also more Spartan.

oldironsights wrote:Got me to drooling over the windage adjustable rear sight for the No1 Mk3.

I've been debating about that part as well. If the part was for my K98 I would have done it in a heartbeat, but my No1 MkIII* had to be all-matching an non import marked

On that note, zeroing a SMLE by changing and drifting the front sight is a royal pain. I don't have a SMLE sight cramp so I've been using a method that employs an AK sight tool, spring loaded punch, and a ball peen hammer and brass drift.

Mine is surplus to requirements as is my P14 sight adjuster.

Here are the Enfield parts photos as promised. As with all my photos, right-click and open the image in a new window to see the full size version. I shrink them to preserve the forum formatting, I'm sure Niner appreciates the effort.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/070608/2892817.jpeg[/pic]

Here is a comparison shot of my MkI**'s hammer next to the MkI's hammer.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/070608/2186809.jpeg[/pic]

Here are a couple shots of the hammers stacked to better compare the dimensions of the single action notch.

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Here is a comparison of the triggers. Note the missing hole for the hammer safety bar.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/070608/2417199.jpeg[/pic]

Aside from that the dimensions look very similar. The DAO's trigger is on the left in these two photos.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/070608/2581018.jpeg[/pic]

Here is a photo of the hammer safety bar's position in the frame. The MkI** does not have this slot milled out so it would be troublesome to retrofit this part. I've heard that MkI*'s do have a hammer safety, but I can't say for sure. The hammer on mine is stamped MkI** and the trigger is stamped MkI* and neither will fit with the hammer safety in my MkI.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/070608/2981874.jpeg[/pic]

Here is the MkI's spur hammer installed in the MkI**, it will work properly in this configuration which tells me the trigger dimensions are not an issue.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/070608/2644880.jpeg[/pic]

Here is the location of the hammer safety when the MkI is not cocked. It prevents any forward motion of the hammer. When the trigger is pulled the hammer safety slides upward and a milled notch on the hammer (see the second image in this post) allows the hammer to travel fully forward without hitting the safety bar.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/070608/2698442.jpeg[/pic]

It's plain to see this feature is absent in the later revolver.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/070608/2813650.jpeg[/pic]

Therefore nothing stops the hammer from moving forward if struck. It seems odd to omit a useful safety feature such as this.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/070608/2837315.jpeg[/pic]

Outstanding job, Drake!

Those photos took great effort from you.

I need to learn to do as such.

I will leave my Enfield revolver as it left the shop where it was made.

I will likely look for a big fat Webley in .455.

I like top-break revolvers.

I have put the No2 Mk1* on consignment sale at a local shop along with my old Korth revolver.

Thanks again, Drake!

you fellows make me ashamed of my photos - perhaps it will inspire me to greater things , nice peices and very fine photos