Lithgow SMLE copper recoil blocks

[albertacowboy]

I have a 1944 Lithgow SMLE in very mint condition with a serial number of 38580. I haven't had time to strip it to see if it has the recoil blocks installed, but I wanted to ask if any of you know what kind of stock damage results in a coachwood stock if the rifle is fired without the blocks. There is a 1-inch longitudinal crack on the right rear side of the fore-end, around the brass reinforcing rod end. Could this be such damage, or could it result from moving the stock bolt without first removing the fore-end? I know I need to properly remove the fore-end to check all this, but I just wondered.

All info welcome!

Many thanks,
Albertacowboy

 

[bearhunter]

The crack you describe usually comes from BUBBA trying to take off the buttstock, without removing the fore stock first.

The stock bolt on No1 rifles has a square end that fits into a square notch on the backstrap of the fore stock. The backstrap isn't very strong and the stock bolt can be turned without to much force. When this happens, the rear of the fore stock is spread enough to crack, usually out past the KING SCREW about 3-4 cm. This needs to be glued back together before shooting and getting acceptable accuracy.

It won't go KABOOM but it could do more damage to the fore stock.

I believe they were made this way to stop the stock bolts from backing off in the field.

Take off the fore stock and fix it before it becomes damaged to the point of needing to have the ways re done. Gorilla Glue is your friend.

That sounds like a nice rifle. Keep it that way by fixing that crack and for your own sake, take off the fore stock before attempting to loosen the butt stock bolt.

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