Need a Little Help From You Lee Enfield Experts

[Boomer]

I have a 1942 Lithgow SMLE that the owner wants cleaned, and my preference is to remove the stock and let it bubble away in my ultrasonic cleaner, and as a rule Lee Enfields don't give me a problem. When I couldn't budge the butt stock retaining screw, I decided to strip off the forend which led to my first problem, then let some penetrating oil seep into the threads of the stock screw from the magazine side, which is when I ran into my second problem.

Problem number one is the trigger guard screw, the screw threads stripped, so while I've got a spare on the way, I'd like to know what the thread pitch is and find a tap to chase the threads.


Problem number two is what I found behind the magazine when I expected to see the open ended extrusion for the stock screw . . .


So the question is, should I expect to be able to unscrew the stock screw? I'm anticipating cutting the stock so I can put a wrench on the screw shank to unthread it, and replace the butt stock, but is it reasonable to expect the retaining bolt to thread back into that thing?

 

[Potashminer]

Your picture is showing the absolute correct installation of a butt stock bolt for a No. 1 Lee Enfield. You are lucky you could not turn the butt screw - it is meant to be lodged tightly into a slot in the back end of the forearm. People who do not know that you must remove the forearm first, try to turn that screw and split the rear of the forearm. Hoping that you knew to remove the forearm straight down - at nearly right angles to the barrel. If you pryed off the forearm tip and levered it off like on a single shot shotgun, you really need to do careful inspection of the draws - that fit, between the stock, the draws, the wrist and the floor plate is the heart of the Lee Enfield accuracy, along with the forearm tip bedding.
I have found these square ended No. 1 butt screws installed in Parker Hale No. 4's, so I assume they will also interchange the other way

 

[Boomer]

Thanks for your help, once I figured out the screw was a square shank, unthreading it wasn't difficult, with no damage resulting.

Now, do you happen to know what the trigger guard screw size and thread pitch is, and where I might find a tap?

 

[Tinman204]

Thanks for your help, once I figured out the screw was a square shank, unthreading it wasn't difficult, with no damage resulting.

Now, do you happen to know what the trigger guard screw size and thread pitch is, and where I might find a tap?

Although I can't remeber off hand the thread pitch, the screws on no1 lee enfields are british enfield threads so finding a tap from usual sources will be next to impossible.

 

[Joe D]

I've been looking into this just recently, the Trigger guard screw is apparently .144" x 37 TPI with some really weird thread angle (that I forgot to write down...)

If you find some source of taps and dies for these things, PLEASE post it!

Cheers, Joe

 

[woodchopper]

BA threadding should be 55 dergees

National standard is 60 Deg which is what you most commonly find.

 

[Boomer]

I've been looking into this just recently, the Trigger guard screw is apparently .144" x 37 TPI with some really weird thread angle (that I forgot to write down...)

If you find some source of taps and dies for these things, PLEASE post it!

Cheers, Joe

Thanks for that, looks like I've got some scrounging to do. If I do find something, I'll post it.

 

[Joe D]

BA threadding should be 55 dergees

National standard is 60 Deg which is what you most commonly find.

The No 4 and onwards apparently use the BA thread form, which is less of a hassle since BA taps and dies are pretty easily available.

My understanding is that anything earlier is using an Enfield thread form which has so far proved to be unobtanium...

 

[Potashminer]

I've been looking into this just recently, the Trigger guard screw is apparently .144" x 37 TPI with some really weird thread angle (that I forgot to write down...)

If you find some source of taps and dies for these things, PLEASE post it!

Cheers, Joe

I agree - I also found a reference that the "Screw, trigger guard, rear" or something like that on a No. 1 is an Enfield thread - as above, .144"x37 TPI. Apparently, no one else had a standard in those days, so I guess the Enfield armoury created one!
And, to anyone finding a source for such items ( screws, taps or dies), I second the motion to PLEASE post it!

 

[Boomer]

These guys might be able to help:
http://www.natool.com/online-catalog/custom-quote