SMLE bolt will not unlock.

[Jagman]

Hello all, first post and looking for help!
I have a problem with a bolt on one of my rifles - it will not unlock unless I cock it first, then it will unlock.
I inserted the bolt without the bolt head attatched and same problem, it starts to unlock and then gets physically stuck, pulling ther cocking piece out lets the bolt release.
I am making a tool right now to dismantle the bolt ( my number 4 tool is too big)
Any insight as to what to look out for?
I tried a different bolt and that worked fine, put the problem bolt in another rifle and the same thing happens.
Thanks in advance.
Rob.

Information

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[Beerhunter]

Until I read your experiments with the bolt, I thought it would be the safety. There are many ways to reassemble the safety but only one is correct. To check this. remove the safety and see if the problem goes way.

[Peter Laidler]

Broken cocking piece and the safety stud of the cocking piece is engaging with the safety stud aside the unlocking cam of the bolt?

[Jagman]

Worse than I thought, matching numbers bolt too.

[Peter Laidler]

Nearly right...... Broken safety stud on the bolt and not the cocking piece! Don't worry about the matching bolt Jag man. We used to fit and re-number bolts every day of the week when required for various reasons. Just so long as it is done absolutely correctly and by someone who knows what he's doing, then that's as good as it gets

[Jagman]

Will try and salvage this bolt before I replace it, great diagnosis Peter, thankyou.

[Peter Laidler]

You won't be able to salvage that bolt Jag man. That safety stud is what we call a 'safety related part' and shopuld not ever be tampered with. It is particularly hard (and tough) and that's probably the reason why it fractured. Bolt change is the only answer

[ssj]

are there an un-stamped un-issued SMLE bolts floating around like the No4s?

[Kiwi]

are there an un-stamped un-issued SMLE bolts floating around like the No4s?

Yes there are. Springfield Sporters has new bolt bodies from Lithgow and BSA (1950's production) available.

[Jagman]

You won't be able to salvage that bolt Jag man. That safety stud is what we call a 'safety related part' and shopuld not ever be tampered with. It is particularly hard (and tough) and that's probably the reason why it fractured. Bolt change is the only answer

What does it actually 'do'.
The rifle half cocks, full cocks and fires, it will just not unlock unless I pull back on the cocking piece, I am talking about dry firing - have not shot this rifle.
Ps. Is there a book that covers this in detail?