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#4?? buttstock bolts

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Canuck View Drop Down
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    Posted: April 26 2012 at 7:54am
I just received 5 new buttstock bolts and noticed that out of the 5, 3 have an equal number of threads, 1 has a very small amount of threads, and the last one has more threads than the first 3. I wonder why this is? Does it have something to do with different manufacturers or something else? All 5 bolts have the 'waisted' shanks (rather than the uniform .430" shanked bolts), and also have squared-off thread ends. I checked my books and they don't mention the combination of 'waisted' bolts with the squared-off ends. There is mention that the #5 rifles used these waisted bolts as a weight saving measure. Thanks for your valued and learned responses.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote muffett.2008 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 26 2012 at 7:59pm
The use of the waisted bolt was in answer to a problem presented by a combination of rust and swollen timber.
 This showed up in early campaigns where the butt became loose due to shrinkage, but could not be tightened. 
  Stratton states that the first variation bolt was waisted to reduce weight, however as this bolt was used on Mk.I to Mk.III* where weight was not a consideration, I consider his remark to be inaccurate.
 The problem was originally identified in Martini's and the fix carried over well into the Lee Enfield years, the squared off end was to lock the bolt into the rear lock plate of the forewood, to prevent loosening, so remember on early Enfields, remove the forewood before attempting to remove or tighten the stock bolt, or risk a split forewood.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Canuck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 27 2012 at 1:45am
My next question is can these bolts be used in a #4/Mk1 without any issues? Thanks for your response muffett.2008!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bear43 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 27 2012 at 4:11am
Yes, they can. The issue will be the square ends. If those protrude from the wrist on a No 4 then you will have problems. I have even gone so far in the past as to cut off the square portion and dress the threads with no problem.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Canuck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 27 2012 at 4:58am
Bear43, thats' a great idea!Of the 3 Enfields I own, all but one have buggered-up big-end slots from too many attempts trying to remove the bolts without the use of a proper sized screwdriver, by previous owners of course.These 5 bolts are as new/unused.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LE Owner Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 28 2012 at 6:45am
Quote 3 have an equal number of threads, 1 has a very small amount of threads, and the last one has more threads than the first 3. I wonder why this is? Does it have something to do with different manufacturers or something else?
I have a mysteriously out of spec butt stock bolt in my junk bin.
It was on a No.4 rifles that had what appears to be an SMLE MK I butt stock fitted to it.
The fit was very loose though the bolt had been cranked in tight.
When I finally got the bolt out I found the threaded portion was very tapered and most of the threads were rounded and looked very thick.
 
I would guess this was simply a bolt turned out on badly worn machinery, and one that should never have passed inspection of any kind.
I suppose there may have been bolts deliberately made with a tapered thread to be used if a butt sockets threads were nearly worn out, but this is the only one of this sort that I've seen.
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