No.1 MKIII Safety Lever.

[Time Bandit]

Couple more pics...

[Time Bandit]

I've decided I might as well try and get the original safety set up to replace the one that's on it, not that it matters from a functioning point of view but I may as well have it looking right.

I've a couple of questions though, not being a shooter etc I'm not really up to scratch on where I get spare parts etc, I've looked at a few militaria dealers type sites that I often buy from and I can get some bits but not all of them, so do any of you have any recommendations for websites etc I can go and look at to see if I can get the bits or does anyone have any going spare? It would need to be a website in the UK as I would have to pay by cheque as I'm far too old fashioned for the likes of PayPal.

Secondly, what do I actually need? I've had a look in the SAIS book for the SMLE and it would appear I need the following bits...

1x Safety Catch Part No. BB0671
1x Locking Bolt Part No. BB0662
1x Washer Part No. BB0784
1x Spring Part No. BB0750
1x Screw Part No. BB0740

Does that sound about right? I've not missed anything have I?

Out of that lot I've found BB0671 & BB0662 and I presume my original screw is BB0740 and I can just reuse that. So I'm struggling with finding BB0784 & BB0750 if anyone knows where I can find them or has any?

Many thanks.

[Time Bandit]

I've just spotted another one of these safety set ups. It's not identical, this one still uses the original bits and pieces but the spring part has been replaced with one the same as fitted to mine. On the other forum someone has mentioned that this type of spring is a one that was used in WW2.
I had another look in the parts book and it looks like rifles made after 1943 used these later parts? The spring (part no. BB7931) is a MK II and is described as plain flat type, which sounds about right?

Another No.1 MKIII safety... (Mods, not sure if it's ok to link to another forum, please remove if not. Thanks).

I've managed to get the bits for mine now, except for the Washer (BB0784) and the Dumb Bell Spring (BB0750), I guess I could reuse the 'flat' spring but still need to get a washer. if anyone knows anywhere in the UK I might find one (or anyone has one here) shout out!! Many Thanks!

[Peter Laidler]

Fultons will be knee deep in them. You mark my words..........

[SpikeDD]

I have one of those oddball safety levers as well. It came in a parts lot I bought years ago.Attachment 60860Attachment 60861Attachment 60862

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Another one.

What did I buy?

[Time Bandit]

Looks like there is one or two out there then?

[SpikeDD]

I have seen them on a few rifles for sale at gun shows over the years and have even noticed one now and then on rifles for sale on the popular gun auction sites. Would be interesting to know where the heck they came from.

[Peter Laidler]

From the make-up of the 'thing', looking at Spikes good pictures, it would seem like some nation required the safety of the rifle dumbed down so as to EXCLUDE the operation of the bolt. In other words, exclude the safety catch so that only the half-moon of the locking bolt operated against the cocking piece.

Not such a dumb idea I suppose........ After all, you can operate the action of the L1A1 until the cows come home but if the change lever is at safe, it ain't going to fire.

But we're going around the houses again and again because it ain't correct and to correct is is cheap and simple

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Note also that, unlike a "real" SMLE lever, this is is pinned together a la the No4 pattern.

The manufacture of the original No1 Mk3 etc. type was a triumph of engineering perversity: forming an eight-start thread up to a shoulder on such a small component. Then again it is VERY hard to break one!