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pkocke
Newbie Joined: September 02 2019 Location: Mississippi Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Posted: September 02 2019 at 7:37pm |
he!!o everyone. I've inherited a few guns recently, one of which is this British 303 that I'm looking to learn more about. Can anyone here take a look and give me their thoughts on what they see? Model? Date of manufacture? Any and all help is appreciated. Thank you!
Paul |
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The Armourer
Senior Member Joined: June 23 2019 Location: Y Felinhelli Status: Offline Points: 1246 |
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It is a Lee Enfield, model : "Rifle No4 Mk1"
Manufactured (probably) 1943 / 44 Manufactured in the UK by BSA Does the serial number on the rear of the bolt handle match that on the butt-socket ? |
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pkocke
Newbie Joined: September 02 2019 Location: Mississippi Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Thank you for the response. I've looked all over and I don't see markings on the bolt handle. Do you have any websites you can refer me to for gun history?
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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i thought i had posted the same response last evening - nice to know someone saw it the same as i did , there are many questions to be answered but based on what we can see here that is all we might offer i think ,
it has a war expedient flip rear peep site , could have been changed but we dont know that at this point , BSA had multiple contracts and we might give more if we could see the serial number better or had the back of the bolt handle number ,
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The Armourer
Senior Member Joined: June 23 2019 Location: Y Felinhelli Status: Offline Points: 1246 |
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If there is no matching serial number on the bolt handle then it is mismatched. You should ensure that BOTH locking lugs make 100% contact. Each rifle has to have the bolt CORRECTLY fitted (fitted as in needing work done to it, not just 'slid into place') It is not a difficult procedure to check, but becomes a bit more complicated it there is not full engagement. During use a rifle bolt, due to recoil, will impact back onto the locking lugs and will start to distort & wear thru the heat treatment, after a few rounds the bolt lugs and the action lugs become a 'perfect pair'. Sliding in a new bolt, or a bolt from a different rifle means that the lugs are no longer 'paired. |
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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A small correction if I may. 100% is NOT the goal. Its also damn near impossible. Equal contact on both is the goal.
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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pkocke
Newbie Joined: September 02 2019 Location: Mississippi Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Thanks to everyone who has responded. I've attached pictures of the back of the bolt handle, which sounds like it is a mismatch. I always thought the model number was M194. The pictures show all of the gun markings. My next question is how do I assure the locking lugs have equal contact?
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The Armourer
Senior Member Joined: June 23 2019 Location: Y Felinhelli Status: Offline Points: 1246 |
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Remove bolt Add 'Engineers blue' to the bolt lugs Reassemble bolt into rifle Cycle bolt Remove bolt (gently) Inspect bolt. Wherever there is 'engineers blue' there is no contact between the bolt lugs and the action lugs. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stuart-Engineers-Micrometer-Blue-Marking-38-gram-Tin-FROM-CHRONOS/371553549413?epid=1888958634&hash=item5682513c65:g:YEAAAOSwJ59Z1R82 Your 'local' ebay, Amazon or Engineering store should have it readily available. If you 'come back' with the results, we can advise on the next stage (if needed) |
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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You can also use a "sharpie" to add ink the the lugs if you cant get Blue. The bolts definitely been ground both the serial number & the proof mark are gone. |
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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englishman_ca
Senior Member Joined: September 08 2009 Location: Almaguin Status: Offline Points: 1089 |
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I use a big fat industrial black magic marker in place of engineers' blue, it shows up the contact points like a charm.
I don't get hung up on the 'even' bearing. The very configuration of the two lugs is quite different. The small lug does the camming for initial extraction on opening. Their cam tracks are not the same. As long as i get contact on both lugs I am happy. 'Good contact' being the judgement call.
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. Look to your front, mark your target when it comes! |
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englishman_ca
Senior Member Joined: September 08 2009 Location: Almaguin Status: Offline Points: 1089 |
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Great idea Shamu. You beat me to it by 43 seconds!
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. Look to your front, mark your target when it comes! |
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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Great minds . . . |
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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MJ11
Senior Member Joined: September 18 2008 Location: Oregon Status: Offline Points: 1882 |
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Hmmm? Early cocking piece knob on the replaced bolt. Welcome aboard. |
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The Spartans do not ask how many the enemies are but where they are
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pkocke
Newbie Joined: September 02 2019 Location: Mississippi Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Thanks again! I held a flashlight to the bolt handle and there is a serial number: 85L6655>. I don't know if this helps any. I'll try the sharpie method and let you know
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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Don't forget to pull back on the bolt handle while doing it, it simulates a loaded round's resistance. |
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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The L in the serial number is indicative of it being made at the Canadian Long Branch facility...
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