Mising back screw in Lee Enfield bolt?

MD

MD

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I've got this 1917 #1 Mk III sporter but just noticed that one of the two small screws in the back of the cocking piece is missing. It is the bottom one.

Would it be dangerous to fire the rifle this way?

My neighbour got it in a trade and I volunteered to clean up the bore for him (turned out shiny) and put a 2nd hand old scope on it for now to try out as it came with bases and rings.

It is now ready to go, but I'm worried about the missing screw. Are we in danger of getting a blast of powder in the face if we shoot it like that?

There's a gun show next week. I might have to go there to look for a cocking piece screw.
 
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not to worry, i'll pop one of those screws in with the other bits.

the firing pin is NOT going to pierce the primer as the collar on the pin stops against the bolt head and won't go any further. Besides, the pin is not likely to unscrew in any case.
Now how do you get TWO screws in the cocking piece? there is only one, the other threaded bit is the firing pin.;)
 
Blocking screw

John Sukey said:
Now how do you get TWO screws in the cocking piece? there is only one, the other threaded bit is the firing pin.;)
Click to expand...
Perhaps it's a blocking screw for the firing pin. Does its circumference intrude on the firing pin's? is there a scallop in the firing pin's tail? If so, it's there to accomodate the other screw's head, blocking any possibility of the firing pin unscrewing.
PP.
 
Yes, here seems to be a little it cut flat on the edge of the one screw that is in there already.

So it is probably just the "locking in" one that is missing then right?

Sorry for my ignorance about this, I haven't tinkered with a Lee Enfield since 1967.
 
OOPS! I sent that screw to Short and long instead of you! However I can send you one as well. Senility is a #####!
Anyhow the "scallop" is there to lock the firing pin from rotating. You have to line it up properly so the head of the locking screw fits in the cut out area on the firing pin.
 
MD said:
Yes, here seems to be a little it cut flat on the edge of the one screw that is in there already.

So it is probably just the "locking in" one that is missing then right?

Sorry for my ignorance about this, I haven't tinkered with a Lee Enfield since 1967.
Click to expand...


If you look at the back of the firing pin after every shot, and it hasn't rotated, it should be safe to fire like that. The lock screw just keeps it from unscrewing, and on most Enfields they're so tight and jammed that it's all you can do to get them to move even when you want them to. But, I'd be putting the screw in as soon as you can lay your hands on one.
 
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