Eddystone bolts jammed

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   On Memorial day the local Vets organization rendered appropriate honors however their Eddystone Enfields were less than up to the occasion.  One rifle, after firing, required the bolt to be beaten open.  Two rifles required superman strength to cycle the action and one rifle failed to feed.  
After the ceremonies I offered to look at the rifles, expecting to see the actions coated with old oil turned to varnish. Easy fix, right?
Ammo used was government surplus crimped blanks.
All bolts were difficult to open.
Bolt releases were extremely difficult to move.
There was no appreciable build up of varnish.
((the firearms were chrome plated years ago))
I thought perhaps the bolts were switched however there are no numbers on the bolts and research tells me that bolts/receivers were not number matched. 

Suggestions or recommendations.

Jim

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Jim1761 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June 23 2023 Location: Souderton, PA Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jim1761 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Eddystone bolts jammed Posted: June 24 2023 at 10:18am
	On Memorial day the local Vets organization rendered appropriate honors however their Eddystone Enfields were less than up to the occasion. One rifle, after firing, required the bolt to be beaten open. Two rifles required superman strength to cycle the action and one rifle failed to feed. After the ceremonies I offered to look at the rifles, expecting to see the actions coated with old oil turned to varnish. Easy fix, right? Ammo used was government surplus crimped blanks. All bolts were difficult to open. Bolt releases were extremely difficult to move. There was no appreciable build up of varnish. ((the firearms were chrome plated years ago)) I thought perhaps the bolts were switched however there are no numbers on the bolts and research tells me that bolts/receivers were not number matched. Suggestions or recommendations. Jim

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 16998	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 24 2023 at 6:45pm
	depends on if they were no3 rifles in 303 or M17 rifles in 3006 as to how i might respond vthe P14 rifles were bolt matched and yes they were hand fitted , the chrome may be playing a part in this in my mind in either case , this should not be an issue with either if they are in tollerance but the added chrome plating may be an issue , ill defer to others in regard to this beyond saying blancs should not stress anything in these ribust actions ,

Doco Overboard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: January 26 2020 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 279	Post Options Post Reply Quote Doco Overboard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 25 2023 at 1:14pm
	Id strip the bolts and check the threads at the shroud for being gummed up. Just catch the striker on a work bench edge, pull down on the bolt and then insert a bread bag clip or dime in the recess which will allow the internals to be turned out without being under tension. Also, I would check the blanks to be sure theyre not for grenade firing and being regular M1909 blanks. Not grenade MI, M2 , M3, MEI etc, More than likely its just the firing pin spring binding on the bolt sleeve internal and dirt grit etc. probably scouring the chamber wouldn't hurt either as well as the square bolt shroud threads.

Jim1761 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June 23 2023 Location: Souderton, PA Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jim1761 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 25 2023 at 2:09pm
	The blanks are the same lot they have used for decades. All rifles are .30-06 Eddystone mfg. Bolts and bolt releases will be scrubbed squeaky clean. Tks

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 16998	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 25 2023 at 6:29pm
	the M17s should have all interchangeable parts as that was required by the contract and eddyatone was the best at meeting all specs - thus they made the most , im in agreement with the above cleaning the bolts to the core - the majority of these that were l"loaned" to the various veterans associations do not get leaned as thoroughly as they need over time it builds up and in the bolt group its the fine crap that really causes the most issues , gets down into areas that may look OK but binds things up , and blanks are not a very clean cartridge in my experience , i would suggest a cleaning in the type of solution and equipment most gunsmiths use - not just what we regular folks have in our homes particularly , these vrifles should outlive our grandchildren , they were made that well , they served in two world wars - the american enfield M1917 was used by marines on all of the islands of the pacific after they were taken , my father recalled it well enough to want one after the war along with the springfield M1903 , he was in B-29s on saipan , its how i ended up with these rifles and how i learned to appreciate them , also sparked my interest in collecting commonwealth firearms ,

Doco Overboard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: January 26 2020 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 279	Post Options Post Reply Quote Doco Overboard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 25 2023 at 6:39pm
	One other thing I failed to mention is the extractor collar. Some penetrant in there like Kroil and working them real well to be sure they're nicely freed up and smooth could be helpful too.

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 16998	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 25 2023 at 6:45pm
	dittos that thought ,