SMLE reassembly
- Thread starter R711
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
And how was it disassembled - very specific procedure for SMLE - they used a square end bolt to hold the butt stock in place. That square end goes through a steel bracket on the rear of the fore-stock. If you force that screw out without removing the fore-stock first, the fore-stock has probably been split. If it does not have the square end, then that is not an original SMLE butt screw, and probably only the beginning of your issues...
- Location
- Western Manitoba
If the fore-end did not split, it may not have had the bracket in place - so much for "mint"...
How disassembled are we talking here? It's not rocket science to assemble a Short Lee, just take your time.
If it's only the butt stock, remove the forend and using a 10 inch extension and a slotted driver tighten the butt on, then reinstall the forend.
If it's only the butt stock, remove the forend and using a 10 inch extension and a slotted driver tighten the butt on, then reinstall the forend.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
To two of the last three posters - on an SMLE you have to remove the fore-stock before undoing that butt through bolt! 7ECA - you described it correctly!
If it was a "mint 1912" and the butt was removed without first removing the forend (which means: complete disassembly, starting at the muzzle then moving towards the butt), then the forend will have suffered serious damage in the process. The stock bolt square tip is kept from moving with a matching "key" inletted in the backface of the forend. Forcing the butt screw means spreading the key and braking the forend. Careful and skillful repair is required at that point.
If there is no damage with the forend then there's a chance your SMLE is a pieced-together collection of parts - in which case, the seller would not have been quite precise when describing the rifle.
I don't know how many rifles I've repaired because that mistake was done.
R711, if you want, PM me, we'll exchange email addresses, send me detailed pictures of our rifle and I can let you know what the best course of action would be (or let you know what you actually have, which I suspect isn't a mint 1912 SMLE...)
Yep. Just have to put the rest of the hardware on.
The No.1 when first manufactured had a stock bolt with a square end - which engaged into a fitting on the forend helping to keep the butt stock tightened up. The first variant used a regular flat washer, while there was a second variant that had a helical lock washer. On the No.4 it's a standard round end bolt but with a lock washer.
I'd imagine at some point armourers got sick of breaking forends while trying to remove the butt, and then it was changed to a regular bolt. Later production SMLEs will often have the No.4 styled bolt - and often refurb'd examples will as well.
Grizz, you'll have to go to plate B in the Aussie manual. Shows the square ended bolt, and the "plate" that retains the stock bolt.
Sooner or later SMLEs would have had the old style butt stock bolt removed eventually and replaced with the second "variant", FTR or repairs, etc. Sort of like how the round cocking piece (and SMLE firing pin) were often replaced with the flat No.4 cocking piece and associated firing pin.
Sooner or later SMLEs would have had the old style butt stock bolt removed eventually and replaced with the second "variant", FTR or repairs, etc. Sort of like how the round cocking piece (and SMLE firing pin) were often replaced with the flat No.4 cocking piece and associated firing pin.
So, haven’t gotten a reply yet from the seller. However, the square bolt has fresh metal showing on it. I haven’t disassembled it as university takes priority until the 1st of May, at that point in time I’ll revisit the rifle. Hopefully the seller will have replied. Also examined the rifle, the only two things I have found off are the mismatched bolt to rifle and the front long range sight looks a little to new. But, otherwise the rifle is in really good shape for its age
That is a great offer, way to go Dyspnea
Then unfortunately you did not get a "mint" SMLE. If you paid top dollar for a mint rifle, matching numbers must be present. The volley sights were removed as part of the conversion process from Mk.III to MK.III*. Reproduction volley sights are available to fully restore rifles to Mk.III standard - some rifles may still have the original dial sight on the forend (often with all the finish/markings worn or ground off), and the rear aperture sight missing.
