Charger bridge replacement |
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halsem
Newbie Joined: February 29 2016 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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Posted: February 29 2016 at 3:00am |
Hi, I am new to this forum and will hopefully be collecting my first Enfield in a few days.
It has had the charger bridge removed and I know you can buy replacements with rivets. Can any one advise me on how difficult it is to add the bridge back to the receiver? I have done blind riveting before but I am worried about damaging the receiver. The rifle is a GRI 1942 Mk3*. Matt |
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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welcome - ive heard it to be difficult - not tried it myself
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halsem
Newbie Joined: February 29 2016 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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Since posting this, I have seen a couple of folks suggest tapping the hole and using a BA bolt and then file the head down. That sounds less stressful on the receiver as long as the receiver wall is not case-hardened?
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Pukka Bundook
Senior Member Joined: February 02 2015 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1369 |
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I think the only problem with riveting, is that the holes don't always line up perfectly.
As long as you have the action well supported and use proper soft rivets, it should be ok. I have one to do as well, and mine is also a RFI, but1930-something. Richard. After writing the above, I dug out a fire -killed Enfield action, & removed and polished up the bridge, and it's ready to go on. The holes in the left side of the bridge align perfectly, but don't know yet about the right side, as there is a stub of the old bridge still attached to the rifle. More as and when. :-)
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Pukka Bundook
Senior Member Joined: February 02 2015 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1369 |
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Another problem with bolts, is that the holes on the left side of the action slant downwards, so would need countersunk heads.
Well I riveted mine on today. Yes, it can be done. I was lucky, the holes matched up! How's that for lucky.....the bridge from a 1918 fire -killed rifle, mating with a 1933 GRI action?! How much fiddling about was it? lots! How much fun was it? About as much fun as dysentery! Still it looks well now, And it works. Very hard to rivet when you can't get a clean swipe at it, or can't get it fully supported without a lot of messing about. Mine's only a cut -down I use for hunting, but looked a bit odd with the bridge chopped off. R.
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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congrats - do post some photos and tell us about the procedure , im not at all certain i would be so bold - but then im old and not so inclined to start major projects these days , been there/done that sort of thing
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Homer
Senior Member Joined: January 01 2013 Location: Brisbane Status: Offline Points: 664 |
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I get the feeling pukkas no youngster either.
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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yes , and much more talented in this area than i as well , it is why we visit these sites after all , i so enjoy hearing of these successes ,
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Pukka Bundook
Senior Member Joined: February 02 2015 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1369 |
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Well I do admit to being a bit older these days!
I will take some photos for you, but always think about 'before' pictures afterwards. I do have the bit of the old bridge that I removed though. Will get back to you when I've got the camera charged up. I Did find however, that No 9 fencing wire was a perfect size to make the rivets! I know I have a box of mixed rivets somewhere around here, but they were hiding on me yesterday. Richard.
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Pukka Bundook
Senior Member Joined: February 02 2015 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1369 |
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Better late than never.
here's the GRI rifle with his new bridge. Also the remaing part of thr old bridge that had to come off, And, the old fire-killed action the bridge came from. No before pictures, as I always think of that afterwards. New bridge looks a bit bright at the moment, as I had to polish off the old fire scaling, so fire -blued it a bit. Fire -bluing is not the same colour as rust bluing. Sorry it took this long. Lost my camera for the longest time. Richard.
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Pukka Bundook
Senior Member Joined: February 02 2015 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1369 |
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No clue how to remove the double-posted picture. Sorry for that!
Here is the one I meant to attach; The fire-killed action the bridge came from. R. |
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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very nice ,
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hoadie
Moderator Group Joined: March 16 2006 Location: Niagara/Canada Status: Offline Points: 9003 |
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ya know..I hear bout all these rifles with the charger bridge being removed..& makes me wonder why.
It doesn't lighten it up any. Its certainly not in the way. So whats the point? My 1916 PH sport has been drilled for a scope- but none ever mounted..the bridge is still there. I just don't know.. |
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Loose wimmen tightened here
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Canuck
Special Member Donating Member Joined: January 17 2012 Location: Agassiz BC Status: Offline Points: 3535 |
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I hope I get to see that rifle of yours', Hoadie. I have a special interest in PH rifles.
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Castles made of sand slip into the sea.....eventually
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SW28fan
Special Member Donating Member Joined: July 02 2007 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 2951 |
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Bubba usually removed the bridge to make the rifle look fancier like a "Custom Sporter"
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Have a Nice Day
If already having a nice day please disregard |
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hoadie
Moderator Group Joined: March 16 2006 Location: Niagara/Canada Status: Offline Points: 9003 |
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ooohh...you mean like"streamlined & slicker than snot on a door knob".
Well, it don't look very "slick" to me |
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Loose wimmen tightened here
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