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Not familiar with part

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OldManMontgomery View Drop Down
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    Posted: July 25 2020 at 10:36am
Found - did not buy - older Enfield rifle at pawn shop today.  Has been 'fiddled' by forward barrel band removed and forend reshaped.  No metal altered I can see.  Could likely be restored (not original, but suitable for instruction and display as 'typical').

Has metal plate for magazine cut off.  Has barrel mounted open rear sight.
Cocking piece (on rear of striker assembly at rear of bolt) is a smooth oblong with a knurled or serrated round disk screwed on to rear end of cocking piece.  This in lieu of familiar shape with vertical serrations for griping with fingers.

I presume this 'alternative' is an earlier style and probably means something.  But I have only a rudimentary knowledge of variations and earlier design changes.

Please enlighten an old man.
I am always ready to learn. I do not always appreciate being taught.
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englishman_ca View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote englishman_ca Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 26 2020 at 5:06pm
What you describe with the safety catch mounted on the cocking piece of the bolt is typical of a 'long Lee' rifle, circa 1892 to 1903. Could be a Lee Metford, could be a Lee Enfield.

How long is the barrel? How many grooves in the rifling?

In this era there was also a shorter lighter cavalry carbine that was produced with the safety catch bolt as you describe. It had a lightweight barrel that was 23-2/4 inches long. Rifle was heavy barrel 30-1/4 inches long.

The Short Lee Enfield appeared in 1903 which had its safety catch mounted to the rear side of the receiver. It was this updated style of bolt without the safety that in 1916 had the slab sided cocking piece introduced as a war time manufacturing concession, being easier and cheaper to make.

As always, pictures would get you more definitive answers. I'm really just guessing from your info, it could be any of a number of rifles. But worth looking into cos ya just never know......
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