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Old MkIII Project

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Givi46 View Drop Down
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    Posted: October 13 2017 at 8:03am

he!!o all, 

I recently got ahold of an old No 1 Mk3 which I'm trying to resurrect. (At this instant trying to clean it, any suggestions to remove build up fouling? Confused Pretty sure this thing hasn't been fired since WWI)

I am having an issue where I can only close the bolt if I depress the trigger, seems the sear gets in the way. It cocks fine once I get it shut... but that's the issue. Any advice? I was thinking it might be something along the lines of a worn sear or weak trigger spring. I can take photos if necessary.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote spentprimer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 14 2017 at 5:17am
I could not see through the barrel when I bought my No.1 Mk.3* Ishapore.  It was the worst I have ever seen or worked on.  First I took and air hose and blew down the bore.  After that I could see light although not like I had hoped.  I then poured some oil in the bore followed by a small diameter brass rod and forced it down the bore.  That was followed up by larger brass rods.  When I got close to the bore size I took a bronze brush on the end of a cleaning rod, a lot of elbow grease and most of an afternoon.  I did get it cleaned out, it shines and I do not see any pitting and the rifling is strong.  To top it off the rifle's accuracy is very good!

As for closing the bolt, I have no original ideas for that, however, I read somewhere of a fellow that was having a similar problem. He had found a small piece of wood had become detached from the stock inside the hole where the trigger/sear is.  Once the wood was removed all was fine with the world ... and the SMLE.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Givi46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 14 2017 at 10:43am
Thanks for the advice!

Right now I'm trying to figure out the best way to tear it down completely, it has the wire wrapping which, will obviously need to be removed to allow disassembly.
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Shamu View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 14 2017 at 11:57am
Whatever you do do NOT remove the butt-stock before the forend, it can cause internal damage if you do!

My usual trick for old fouling is chemical. I swab the bore with a cleaner like "Hoppes #9" till it's literally dipping wet, & leave overnight muzzle down, repeat daily for a while. The slow gentle solvent does all the work with no damage to the bore.

Are you sure its not just you being unfamiliar with cock on closing actions? There should be a lot of resistance as the striker spring is tensioned, unlike a cock on opening Mauser style action.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 16 2017 at 4:12am
If it's wire wrapped; then it was used for grenade launching as well. Not sure if the removing the wire will leave mark's on the wood. Other's here will know more about that than I. But might be worth getting the bore cleaned before stripping the wood. Then if you find that the bore is knackered; it is still an original looking grenade launcher for your collection.
Can yo upost some photos?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 16 2017 at 4:53am
Removing the wire will definitely leave marks in the wood. I've seen pictures of several that show clearly where the wire was.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote englishman_ca Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 24 2017 at 5:23am
What could be happening with your bolt not wanting to close without pulling the trigger is that the sear is catching on the under lug.

If the bolt has non matching serial numbers to the receiver, it is obviously a replacement. Due to manufacturing tolerances, sometimes things don't quite fit the way that they should and might need adjusting.

Check the outer surface of the small locking lug on the underside of the bolt to see if there is a scratch or wear mark from the tip of the sear rubbing on it as the bolt cycles.

There are a couple of different methods of fixing it if need be.
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