Removing Lee Enfield No.4 buttstock Issue

[PanzerSchreck]

I'm trying to remove the buttstock from a 1943 Long Branch No.4 Mk.1*. I have removed these before from SMLEs but this one's different. Looks like the leather wad covering the main stock-bolt is screwed in place with a smaller slot-head screw that just will not come out. So far I've tried dripping liquid wrench into the hole to loosen it up, but have not met with any success. Wondering what it actually screws into since below it there should only be the stock-bolt slot, right?

Has anyone ever come across this and have any idea what to do?

 

[louthepou]

It may just be a leather bushing covering the stock bolt slot? I,ve had to destroy a few dried-out bushings in a few Lee Enfields.

Lou

 

[purple]

The normal sequence of assembly/disassembly is the flat washer first, then the lock washer, then the stock bolt, followed by the leather washer/silencer. Normally all you need to do is to make a small fishhook out of the end of a wire coat hanger and then dig the leather pad out.
If the stock bolt is frozen you can take off the forend and then soak the end of the bolt which protrudes into the butt socket with penetrating oil. You should be able to view the slot of the stock bolt thru the leather washer, but the leather washer will need to come out before you can get a big enough 'driver into the slot of the stock bolt.

 

[ryan]

I believe what you think is a smaller screw is really the hole in the leather washer obscuring half of the stock bolt, making it look smaller. As well as the coat hanger procedure, I have also used a small flat headed screwdriver, and pried the washer up from the side. Once it's sideways, no problem fishing it out

 

[cantom]

I hate those leather washers.

You need to fashion various hook style tools that you can stick in there to get under it and pull it out. It can be done but is not fun.

Picture a sharp tool shaped like an L. Push it down into the slot of the screwdriver slot and then get it in under the washer.

 

[bearhunter]

Those washers are a pain but they served a useful purpose. The stopped the oil bottle and cleaning kit in the but from rattling and beating themselves to death.

 

[purple]

One of the SOPs before going out on a night patrol was an inspection where the troops would jump up and down fully equipped to detect any bangs or rattles of their equipment which would give them away. Sounds always seem amplified at night. The rattle of an oil bottle inside the buttstock was a bad one which could be eliminated by packing the pull thru and some 4x2s on top of the oil bottle.

 

[PanzerSchreck]

Seems like Lou and Ryan are correct. Based on the insight I managed to remove the leather washer and lo and behold, that little screw-head I thought I saw is indeed the main bolt-head. Thanks guys. Now I've got to get the bolt out but that should be an easier task after a little soaking. Thanks to everyone for their comments and help. Cheers.