No1 MkIII* Rear Handguard question.

[stampede]

My LeeEnfeildNo1MkIII* 1917serial number W30489 is ingreat shape,all complete.Even has black paint on upper forward hand guard.

My questionis: Onthe rear upper handguard there are two shallow angled cross cuts (neatly filled in with wood).

What was the purpose of those?

 

[Mk VII]

They reinforce the rather thin handguard to stop it cracking (or stop it cracking any further). There is some evidence that at least some new ones were made that way. Must have been prone to crack.

 

[SA85M1]

Yup..they help keep the hg from cracking/breaking. .

 

[stampede]

Thanks

 

[buffdog]

.
This was a fairly standard repair that could be done by a Unit Armourer. As mentioned, it reinforced a weak area in the handguard. Another modification was to shorten the "ears" on the front of the handguard.

 

[infideleggwelder]

I prefer the look of the screw thread brass rod, my rifle has the wood bits, and repaired one using machine thread brass. Don't like it when they cut the "ears" off.