I'm fairly new to surplus collecting and have an interest in the older Long Lee Enfield MLE. They are fairly hard to come by, and until I can find a decent one at the right price, I decided to go for an importer's Ethiopian Lee as a placeholder until I can find a better one. What I ended up receiving is in poor shape, but complete. A quick inspection revealed the bolt locking lugs have a highly irregular surface compared to the bolt from a Mk 3. The irregular angle appears to have cut a groove on the receiver locking surface in the same shape. Is this a symptom that the lug has failed or is about to fail? Is this lug something that would immediately make the rest of this rifle not worth repairing?
I also had concerns with the barrel. The majority of the barrel has dark, but strong rifling but the last 8 inches including the muzzle are heavily rusted, so much that the rifling can not be distinguished. Is this barrel salvageable to the point that it can be fired safely, but not accurately? I expect poor accuracy due to the crown damage.
The buttstock is also missing a chunk from the wrist area. The piece missing leads me to believe that the stock is not inlet far enough into the Enfield's stock ring.
Everything else appears to be complete. Most parts have some amount of pitting, but are still functional. The safety, cocking piece and trigger operate.
Did I win or lose? Is this rifle salvageable or is it a wall hanger?
I will post more pictures if requested.
I also had concerns with the barrel. The majority of the barrel has dark, but strong rifling but the last 8 inches including the muzzle are heavily rusted, so much that the rifling can not be distinguished. Is this barrel salvageable to the point that it can be fired safely, but not accurately? I expect poor accuracy due to the crown damage.
The buttstock is also missing a chunk from the wrist area. The piece missing leads me to believe that the stock is not inlet far enough into the Enfield's stock ring.
Everything else appears to be complete. Most parts have some amount of pitting, but are still functional. The safety, cocking piece and trigger operate.
Did I win or lose? Is this rifle salvageable or is it a wall hanger?
I will post more pictures if requested.