auchonvillerssomme Posted 19 October , 2009 Share Posted 19 October , 2009 While looking at the bolts of my Lee Enfield's SMLE's and No4's I notice that one has a bolt which has a hollow (ish) ball. Never noticed this before is it common? Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 19 October , 2009 Share Posted 19 October , 2009 While looking at the bolts of my Lee Enfield's SMLE's and No4's I notice that one has a bolt which has a hollow (ish) ball. Never noticed this before is it common? Mick IRRC it was intended for the No5 "Jungle carbine" rifle as a lightening measure, I can check refs when I get home but I am pretty sure I am correct. They show up on No4s quite a lot (and No5s often have solid bolt) but would not be correct for standard No1 MkIIIs of any vintage to the best of my knowledge although the Australians did some experimentation late in WWII with "shortened lightened" No1s and these (which are incredibly rare museum pieces) may have had drilled out bolts. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coppertales Posted 19 October , 2009 Share Posted 19 October , 2009 Yep, the No 5 had the lightened bolt. However, the bolts from the No 4 and No5 are interchangeable so you will find them on either rifle. Arsenals were not too picky which parts went on the rifle to make them serviceable.....chris3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 19 October , 2009 Author Share Posted 19 October , 2009 Many thanks for that, I found the reference to the No5 bolt. If the armoury made no distinction even though they were interchangeable I wonder what the instruction was? mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyE Posted 20 October , 2009 Share Posted 20 October , 2009 It is unlikely that a unit armoury would have both No.4 and No.5s on charge at the same time. Any exchange that did take place is likely to have been when the weapons were undergoing Factory Thorough Repair (FTR) and replacement bolts would be fitted with the correct bolthead and renumbered to the rifle. Regards TonyE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 20 October , 2009 Share Posted 20 October , 2009 Agree - what TonyE said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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