Tweet
Here's the situation. The gun belongs to my uncle, an old war-horse that served in Korea and Vietnam. He's in his 70s and feeling his mortality. He has an Enfield that's been a work in progress for the past 20 years or so and I'd like for him to be able to shoot it before he goes to that big rifle range in the sky.
The rifle has been worked on by a previous smith (who is unknown to me) but not completed. The metal work the previous smith did is middling to rough, but the receiver looks good to me. The rifle is currently sitting in an unfinished Boyd's stock and needs final inletting. The bolt has been modified to a "butterknife" handle, but the metal work looks like crap. The original rear sight has also been cut off and the receiver polished.
I do not have any experience in Enfields, so a lot of this work and parts selection is GUNSMITH'S CHOICE. With the existing parts and modifications to the gun the only thing I would like to see is a high-gloss blued finish on the barrel/receiver, jeweled bolt body, and high-gloss finish on the wood. Basically an "AFRICAN BIG GAME" look.
This is what I'm looking to get done:
-Repair/replace bolt and install "sporter" handle/knob.
-Full accuracy job (square and shim bolt, etc.)
-Rebarrel to a 20" .30-06. Barrel profile is gunsmith's choice. After I inherit the gun, it will be a 1,000 yarder, something to keep in mind when selecting twist.
-Drill/tap to accept a scope base, or solder/welded-on base.
-Fit and finish a high-grade walnut stock.
-Bed the receiver to the stock.
-Gunsmith's choice of recoil pad.
-Refinish barrel/receiver to high-gloss blue.
-Jewel bolt body
-Trigger job.
-Basically clean-up/repair/replace any rough metal; trigger, trigger guard, etc.
I will gladly accept Calgunner recommendations on gunsmiths, and am totally open to direct solicitations from 'smiths in this thread. If a portfolio is available I would like to see it. I want this rifle to be a top-notch looker and shooter when it's done.
Thanks guys, I really hope to make this project come alive for my uncle.
The rifle has been worked on by a previous smith (who is unknown to me) but not completed. The metal work the previous smith did is middling to rough, but the receiver looks good to me. The rifle is currently sitting in an unfinished Boyd's stock and needs final inletting. The bolt has been modified to a "butterknife" handle, but the metal work looks like crap. The original rear sight has also been cut off and the receiver polished.
I do not have any experience in Enfields, so a lot of this work and parts selection is GUNSMITH'S CHOICE. With the existing parts and modifications to the gun the only thing I would like to see is a high-gloss blued finish on the barrel/receiver, jeweled bolt body, and high-gloss finish on the wood. Basically an "AFRICAN BIG GAME" look.
This is what I'm looking to get done:
-Repair/replace bolt and install "sporter" handle/knob.
-Full accuracy job (square and shim bolt, etc.)
-Rebarrel to a 20" .30-06. Barrel profile is gunsmith's choice. After I inherit the gun, it will be a 1,000 yarder, something to keep in mind when selecting twist.
-Drill/tap to accept a scope base, or solder/welded-on base.
-Fit and finish a high-grade walnut stock.
-Bed the receiver to the stock.
-Gunsmith's choice of recoil pad.
-Refinish barrel/receiver to high-gloss blue.
-Jewel bolt body
-Trigger job.
-Basically clean-up/repair/replace any rough metal; trigger, trigger guard, etc.
I will gladly accept Calgunner recommendations on gunsmiths, and am totally open to direct solicitations from 'smiths in this thread. If a portfolio is available I would like to see it. I want this rifle to be a top-notch looker and shooter when it's done.
Thanks guys, I really hope to make this project come alive for my uncle.
