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Lithgow 1913 restoration almost complete

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smerdon42 View Drop Down
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    Posted: June 11 2018 at 5:00pm
Hey guys here are some pics of my 1913 which was sporterised ,only none original part is the nosecap and stock nosecap is a early lithgow star that is unnumbered and the stock is basically brand new stained and test fitted up . I have not oiled it yet but will probably do this in the next week stand by for finished pictures.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2018 at 7:07am
Nice! is that rear end of the stock contacting the butt socket at an angle or is it just a trick of the light?
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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smerdon42 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smerdon42 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2018 at 3:24pm
Shamu it is rounded off at the edge but this is a first test fit after many adjustments I had to stain the stock up first si there is a few darker areas on there.i wish I could find an original unnumbered lithgow early nose cap to fit up.the relieved one was around 1918 I believe.i am happy with the resoration results Thus far . The rifleand parts have not been rebound all original event the bolt head, she still headspaces at field spec and only just closes on no go .
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Homer View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Homer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2018 at 5:04pm
Nosecap wings weren’t relieved until 1945. If yours has a lithgow star, it is an earlier one(pre1926) that’s been back through to be reused on refurbed rifles. Numbers were removed and the sides relieved. Is it parkerised? Keep looking for what you want, but I wouldn’t be concerned about a serial number. You can grind it off yourself or leave it. It would be better to have one without the sides relieved and still blued.

In the earlier post, I agree the rear end of the forend looks to be not bedded up tightly against the butt socket face. A problem if you intend to shoot it and asthetically also. Can rectify it but there are some internal intricacies that can be challenging. Helps to understand these.

The forend is not the right profile for volley sights, but good effort, well done.
Well worth the investment.
I’d help you more if we were in same country but.......
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smerdon42 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smerdon42 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2018 at 5:08pm
Homer thanks for the encouragement mate , i recently acquired a 1916 with volley sights on it so it may become a template to do another forestock for sh*ts and giggles . I have a bunch of west australian Jarrah wood might give that a shot as a stock .yes i am a former aussie who finds himself here in the USA
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote englishman_ca Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2018 at 7:35pm
Not wanting to be an arse, but since you are showing it off for us, I have a couple of observations. Maybe I should just keep them to myself, but you seem to be a big lad so I'll be candid and share.

1913 is a rare bird and well worth bringing back from a sporter, you have made a good effort. However...., wrong stock, it is not bedded correctly and the front volley is all wrong. 

You can call it a rebuild, but a restoration it is not. Dont shoot it without doing a bit more research about stocking up and making some adjustments to the fit of the wood.

Still has potential, but you have missed the mark. Close, but no cigar. But hey, as long as you are enjoying working on it, have at her! I commend you for tackling the project.

Sorry, I'll shut up now and bugger off.

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Look to your front, mark your target when it comes!
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Homer View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Homer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2018 at 7:59pm
Point is, it will be very hard to restore this rifle because, didn’t want to say it, it is among the rarest lithgow actions dates. A proper volley sight MkIII forend would be better of course but an early Australian walnut, good luck.
Just keep looking mate keep trying to improve it. This one is worth the effort.
Will pay to really do your homework though.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MJ11 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2018 at 9:14pm
Just a thought here, try some outdoor indirect lighting. Also don't get fancy with your finish, 50/50 turpentine and BLO in many rubbed out coats over many days. don't quit and keep we the unwashed posted.

Cheers


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2018 at 9:54pm
as said - well worth the efforts and time , they aint making these any more , i would consider it a labor of love and lifetime adventure myself , ive never been fortunate enought to aquire one like that - yet , probably never will , 

that would be a goal for me if i were going to have a lithgow tho , 
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smerdon42 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smerdon42 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2018 at 4:48pm
Guys I appreciate all your input yes this is the first full test fit of everything and It is far from finished as of yet the volley sight is period correct for the lithgow and it does need to be further bedded into the forestock the forestock at the band is rounded off but touching the band , the will have to be a little tweak here and there than sanding down and BLO ed .it is a labor of love and it is a piece to be proud of as it is a 1913 serial number 160 all matching except for the nose cap , volley sight and stock set where possible I have used period correct walnut with the exception of the forestock.
I now have a ridge dodge 1916 with volley sight but no pointer on it i can use as a reference to improve this one . All you years of experience is good for me to learn off of ,the ultimate goal is shoot it just like my ancestors did in Gallipoli and the Somme all those years ago just at paper targets.
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