Yikes!!!

little bear

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My dad had his rear stock broken on his SMLE. I took the old stock off, so I removed the screw that keeps the clip in place for the safety/bolt lock. After I had the new stock installed, I discovered that I had lost the safety lever. Holy moly, what to do now? I called my dad and he said that he had one from a ww1 rifle, but his rifle was made in '43. Will it fit?
 
Be calm and check the area again closely. It could have flew of during takedown. I lost a bolt hold open lever on my 10/22 this way...Never found it either. Good luck...
 
It sounds dumb but magnet on a string - I have my bench in a fairly small area but it's amazing how far some parts will bounce after a 3' fall. And if your carpet is textured and multi-colored like mine... Sometimes it's right in front of you nose.
 
Lee Enfield safeties

One thing here, when you do get a new one to install, then you have to "time" it when you put it in so that it will work properly. It has to be aligned to a certain position when it is together with the threaded pieces, or you can have jams or a dangerous condition where it will hang up when cocked.

There are threads on GunNutz and Milsurps that explain how to do it.

Where are the rear sights? On the Number 4 rifle, the rear sight is a peep sight mounted on the rear of the action near the bolt handle.

On the Number 1 rifle, the rear sight is an open V type sight mounted on the barrel.

You will have to have the correct safety and lever.
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Disaster averted! Tried the magnet on a string, crawling on all fours with a flashlight, but could not find it. Luckily my Dad had some parts, and it was identical to the lost one. Thanks for all of the advice; was able to install the new one and try it a couple of time to get it to work properly. I had to adjust the arm that goes in and out on the threads of the thumb lever and she is ready to go. I had to take the screw out of the clip because the old stock was hung up on it. My dad bought the rifle from an Eaton's catalogue way back when, for the tidy sum of $16. He fell down while moose hunting and split the rear stock it half, but a friend if his bolted and glued it back together. He used it for adout 20 years like that, but I guess the stock was shrinking and it became loose. He is 69 now , hopefully he will use it for a few more years yet.
 
Safety

A happy ending. And since you followed the advice about timing the safety and the lever arm, you got it right.

And, you now don't have to make an additional post about "Help, my safety doesn't work." :)

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Guess what I found today? The original safety! It was nowhere close to where I thought I lost it. I found it while looking for something else. I will put this safety back on the rifle; will time it and try it of course. Now if only if I could find my lost hair!
 
"...after I die..." Rumour has it that you get all the stuff you lost back.
"...sounds dumb but magnet on a string..." Not even a little.
 
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