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That washer for the trigger guard front screw
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Rick View Drop Down
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    Posted: June 26 2025 at 11:14am
Checking out a guy's No. 4 rifle that I'm going to assemble some moderate reloads to deal with varmint threats to his goat pens... So I'm checking that all screws are tight, etc... short story is that some investigation and I see he has the load bearing sleeve/collar that the trigger guard screw passes through to tighten into the body, but I don't see the washer that's part of that assembly.

I can't remember much about that washer before I head for the open stock bins at his local Ace Hardware.  Some questions because my memory is dim from not dissembling my Lee Enfield for a long time.
  1. Is it a split lock washer, or plain old flat washer?
  2. O.D of the washer is about the same as the diameter of the sleeve/collar (I.D. obviously sized for the trigger guard screw to pass through)?
  3. How thick is it?
  4. My memory is correct in that it's a normal washer, not made from brass or anything else?
And here's a good one: where does that washer go when reinstalling the trigger guard and trigger guard screw and sleeve/collar?
  1. Between the head of the trigger guard screw and the outside face of the trigger guard?
  2. Between the bottom of the sleeve/collar and the inside face of the trigger guard?
The question on precisely where it goes when reinstalling after I find a replacement is probably in parts schematics within the pams I have as .pdfs.  But I don't have access to those right now and want to go find a replacement, get things back together, and see if there's anything else that needs some corrections or adjustments and then move on to other stuff.

Thanks!
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Shamu View Drop Down
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As shown here between the outside of the bottom metal & the head of the bolt. I.D. should be just big enough to slide on the smooth section of the bolt's shaft & O.D. as close as possible to the head diameter
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Yes, a split lock washer under the head of the trigger guard front screw. 1/4” ID. 
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Rick View Drop Down
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Points: 83 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 26 2025 at 8:58pm
Originally posted by Shamu Shamu wrote:

As shown here between the outside of the bottom metal & the head of the bolt. I.D. should be just big enough to slide on the smooth section of the bolt's shaft & O.D. as close as possible to the head diameter
...
Originally posted by britrifles britrifles wrote:

Yes, a split lock washer under the head of the trigger guard front screw. 1/4” ID. 


Thanks guys... will head to Ace tomorrow with the sleeve/collar and the trigger guard screw.  I think one of the schematics found in one pam make it appear like the washer sits between the inner face of the trigger guard and the bottom of the collar.  But I don't spend much time looking at schematics when I could spend the time casting bullets, reloading, out at the range shooting, etc.
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Points: 8404 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 27 2025 at 4:39am
Originally posted by Rick Rick wrote:


 I think one of the schematics found in one pam make it appear like the washer sits between the inner face of the trigger guard and the bottom of the collar.  But I don't spend much time looking at schematics when I could spend the time casting bullets, reloading, out at the range shooting, etc.

I’ve seen that too, and thought it is a drawing error. Other drawings show the washer under the head of the screw where or logically belongs, especially a lock washer.

You might want to check the collar height, if someone had a washer fitted between the collar and trigger guard, they may have filed down the collar. 
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Rick View Drop Down
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Points: 83 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 27 2025 at 8:55am
I've collected a bunch of schematics about Lee Enfields and Webleys over the years, one reason probably being predicting I might have a question like this and not wanting to start taking my own rifle apart.  Again, if my memory is correct, some of them didn't even show a few of the lesser minor parts like this washer.

I've met a couple of guys that I think get more enjoyment out of buying severely Bubba'd Lee Enfield rifles and restoring them to military condition than they get enjoyment out of actually shooting them.

Seems like an inexpensive hobby when they show you what they bought for $25 - if you don't figure out the bill for what the replacement furniture costs them and other assorted bits and pieces.
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Points: 7942 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote paddyofurniture Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 27 2025 at 8:57am
Unless you have a stock of replacement parts in stock the restoration cost more than a complete gun.
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