Enfield No.5 question

[yoopercollector]

I am thinking of buying an Enfield No.5. It has been FTR'd. There isn't a number on the back of the bolt, is this OK? It seems I heard you can't just swap bolts on Enfields. It has No.5 Mk1 ROF(F)FTR on the side of receiver. The bolt handle has a PV, a P underneath and DOW 2 on the cocking knob. Thanks for the help.

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[yoopercollector]

I am thinking of buying an Enfield No.5. It has been FTR'd. There isn't a number on the back of the bolt, is this OK? It seems I heard you can't just swap bolts on Enfields. It has No.5 Mk1 ROF(F)FTR on the side of receiver. The bolt handle has a PV, a P underneath and DOW 2 on the cocking knob. Thanks for the help.

[Brian Dick]

I think the cocking piece is a South African replacement part. Someone correct me if I'm wrong please.

[yoopercollector]

I want the rifle to shoot at milsurp shoots, my concern is a bolt with no serial number belonging to this rifle and being safe to shoot after the headspace is checked. Is it something that could have happened during the FTR. Thanks

[browningautorifle]

Normally after force fitting they would be headspaced and marked with the number so it now matches the rifle.

[vintage hunter]

Look real close with a magnifying glass in good light. In some cases the numbers were applied with a ''scratchy pen'' and are hard to see, especially if it's been refinished.

[yoopercollector]

How do you know if the bolt is fitted to the rifle? Is it safe to shoot as long as the headspace is OK and the rest of the rifle is good?

[vintage hunter]

If it was replaced and fitted to the rifle in service it will be numbered to the receiver, normally. If you can't find numbers, or they don't match, it was likely replaced by a previous owner who just stuck it in. Just because the CHS is in spec doesn't mean it's safe to shoot. Both locking lugs must be making even contact with the receiver shoulders or it could fail, especially if the short lug is taking all the stress.
Best thing to do if your in the U.S. would be to send it off to Brian Dick for a check up. It will be right when he gets done with it.

[Homer]

Sorry BAR, the words "force fitting" and "forced matched". Where does this come from?

[browningautorifle]

"force fitting"

From what I can gather from Peter's descriptions, it's making the bolt match the rifle. Hand selection and fitment and then number it to match. Peter will correct me shortly if I'm out of whack...or one of the others.