What is the size

[Cottage Hill Bill]

of the rear nosecap screw on a No.1 MkI***? The vertical screw that goes into the nut embedded in the fore stock. I have to fabricate the nut. I thought it was a 2BA but it isn't.
The rifle is a 1907 LSA, but one of the batch sold to Ireland, so a mixmaster.

Thanks.

Information

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[Bruce_in_Oz]

Screw, Cap, nose, back?

.1875" dia x 33tpi (Enfield form, approx 49 degrees)

If you plan to make these, you must like a challenge!

It is the same thread as used on the No1 Mklll / lll* FRONT nose-cap screw, the sling and piling swivel screws, bayonet-grip screws, backsight protector screw. Several screws of this thread spec. can be found on a P-14, just because.

See also: Lee Metford nose-cap screws.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

That "proper" screw is quite close to both 2BA and M4.5, but the 'real deal' is definitely .1875" x 33TPI, "special"

The later, post WW2 . Korea, etc. EMEI notes for Australian service No1 Mk3s, up to and including the HTs still on issue to Oz snipers in the mid 1970's, state that a 2BA screw can be "substituted" for the outer-band screw after a pass of a 2BA tap. I'm not sure why this practice was necessary, as there were still MANY boxes of the correct screw floating around just a couple of years ago. I probably have at least fifty unused examples of these screws in a jar in the dungeon.

The trick was that the screw in the outer band was to be flared in place, with the deft application of a centre-punch: Hence the "hollow" end of the thread. The catch? The outer band swivel screw and the band itself had to removed to strip off the forward furniture, i.e., as performed at major repairs or annual inspections. Hence the steady need for "replacement". Failure to remove the "flared" bit at the end meant damaging or destroying the thread in the band itself, ESPECIALLY the brass ones. If the thread in your outer band is "shabby", there's a good chance your prized piece has been stripped down / "worked on" by a NON-armourer.

And on the Eighth Day, God created Loctite, (and cable (zip) ties, Gaffer Tape, Velcro, Devcon, etc.)

[Roger Payne]

CH Bill, save yourself a load of hassle & check on that internet auction site. The uk site has numerous people selling LE spares, & both the screws & nuts are fairly readily available as NOS items. In fact, IIRC one seller offers the screws & nuts paired together.

ATB

[Cottage Hill Bill]

Thanks to all, especially Roger. I found the seller you referenced. My google foo must have been awol the first time I looked. With the right tap the part wouldn't be too bad to make as a piece of 1/4" square bar is perfect to start with. Bit of file work and bingo. But, the prices of parts on offer make it a non-starter.

[Roger Payne]

You’re welcome Bill. That’s the beauty of this forum; everybody helps each other. We have a pretty good lot on here....

[Patrick Chadwick]

CH Bill, save yourself a load of hassle & check on that internet auction site. The uk site has numerous people selling LE spares, & both the screws & nuts are fairly readily available as NOS items. In fact, IIRC one seller offers the screws & nuts paired together.

OK Roger, don't keep it a secret. What site? Which seller?

[Roger Payne]

Rhymes with ‘D-day’!
On the .co.uk site I regularly trawl for spares. If you just search on ‘Lee Enfield’ it’s surprising what turns up.
One of the regular sellers of non licensable parts is slowly selling off the industrial quantity of spares that ultimately came out of Ma Parker’s......I buy from her quite regularly.

[Flying10uk]

OK Roger, don't keep it a secret. What site?

that internet auction site

eBay (Presumably)

[Roger Payne]

TBH I thought Patrick was joking when he asked the qn.
Yes, fleabay.