Hi all. I have a 1915 ShtLE (no star) that I am restoring. It has (what looks like) a swivel bracket just ahead of the magazine, as I see that many others do as well. I theorize that this was to secure the chain that used to secure the magazine to the rifle in some of the earlier Number 1 rifles. Is this the case? Ir is there some other reason for it? One of the SMLE gurus in this illustrious company must know the answer to this ...
Number 1 Mark 3 swivel bracket question
- Thread starter the11
- Start date
On my 1917 Lithgow No.1 Mk.3 no star, there is a bracket for a swivel, and on my 1916 BSA No.1 Mk.3*, there is no bracket, but a small "staple" to which the chained mag would attach.
I don't know if that helps any, but there it is fwiw. I'm not sure if this is a date issue, or a manufacturer issue, or a Mk. issue.
I don't know if that helps any, but there it is fwiw. I'm not sure if this is a date issue, or a manufacturer issue, or a Mk. issue.
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The more savvy SMLE users who shoot long range targets will either move the butt stock swivel to the center position or install an extra sling swivel and screw there. You then can use the issue Webb sling to help steady the rifle.
When doing this, attach the sling to the front swivel as normal. Then, let it hang downwards, grasp the sling with your left hand and give it 1/2 turn to the LEFT. After that, install it (with this twist in the sling), onto the middle sling swivel that you put in front of the magazine. This way, the sling will lay FLAT against your left arm, rather than digging into it.
It is very fast to get into position with the sling this way. While standing, rifle grasped with the right hand at the wrist of the butt stock, flick and roll the rifle to the left while trying to keep it centered around the barrel axis. The sling loop will travel out to the right and when it gets out as far as it will go, a flick of the wrist to the left will send the loop of the sling flying back across in front of you to the left. As this is happening, you stick out your left arm, bent so the forearm is parallel with the front of and across your body. The extended arm enters the loop of the sling, the sling rides upwards on your left arm, and you roll your wrist under the front of the sling, then upwards and your hand comes over the top of the sling to grasp the rifle.
If you are fast enough, you can be dropping to your knees at this point, and the rifle butt will cushion your fall. Then, you are now in the prone position, steadied by a sling, and ready to fire.
.
The more savvy SMLE users who shoot long range targets will either move the butt stock swivel to the center position or install an extra sling swivel and screw there. You then can use the issue Webb sling to help steady the rifle.
When doing this, attach the sling to the front swivel as normal. Then, let it hang downwards, grasp the sling with your left hand and give it 1/2 turn to the LEFT. After that, install it (with this twist in the sling), onto the middle sling swivel that you put in front of the magazine. This way, the sling will lay FLAT against your left arm, rather than digging into it.
It is very fast to get into position with the sling this way. While standing, rifle grasped with the right hand at the wrist of the butt stock, flick and roll the rifle to the left while trying to keep it centered around the barrel axis. The sling loop will travel out to the right and when it gets out as far as it will go, a flick of the wrist to the left will send the loop of the sling flying back across in front of you to the left. As this is happening, you stick out your left arm, bent so the forearm is parallel with the front of and across your body. The extended arm enters the loop of the sling, the sling rides upwards on your left arm, and you roll your wrist under the front of the sling, then upwards and your hand comes over the top of the sling to grasp the rifle.
If you are fast enough, you can be dropping to your knees at this point, and the rifle butt will cushion your fall. Then, you are now in the prone position, steadied by a sling, and ready to fire.
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For a swivel but you could use it to attach a cover, the link loop used on the ealier rifles to attach the mag will not fit/work, the "chain" used on the Longlees from the MkII MLM on & the Mk1 SMLE was not in fact a chain but a single link.
OP; my 1918 has the same trigger plate, bolt and "swivel" instead of the loop. Mine is also missing and I'd like to put the rifle back to original but with what? Does it take the regular front sling swivel?
My No2Mk4 has a target swivel on the king screw, but this is quite a different set up. With the piling swivel, front and butt swivels, if I put another one in front of the mag on the No1MkIII it would have 4 swivels hanging underneath...this was normal?
I guess the OP's question, and now mine is, what type of swivel goes there? Why was it removed? {army, or someone thieving parts?}
My No2Mk4 has a target swivel on the king screw, but this is quite a different set up. With the piling swivel, front and butt swivels, if I put another one in front of the mag on the No1MkIII it would have 4 swivels hanging underneath...this was normal?
I guess the OP's question, and now mine is, what type of swivel goes there? Why was it removed? {army, or someone thieving parts?}
It was to allow the earlier style of attaching the sling from in front of the triggerguard to the nosecap if required.
Identical swivel on the trigger guard as the front band?
I think they just rearranged the swivels already on the rifle, ie moved the butt swivel to the trigger guard & the lower band swivel to the nosecap.
I have no idea how common the use of the trigger guard swivel boss was, i cant say i have ever seen a period photo of a sling attached to a SMLE in that manner so will never bother fitting one like it myself.
