No 4 Mk 1 markings confusion

A d E Lithgow made five different head sizes for the No1Mk3.

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Originally Posted by Alan de Enfield

Do you have the actual specification for the bolt head sizes ?

I could never find the actual specification showing the required / start size(s) for each number simply the incremental increase by 'number'.

When I did the bolthead survey (many years ago) I posted this....

I wonder if anything new or more definitive on sizing has come to light since ?

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Your survey of sizes emphasizes the point that without measuring the numbers become largely meaningless.

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Originally Posted by Surpmil

Your survey of sizes emphasizes the point that without measuring the numbers become largely meaningless.

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Agreed and what I have been trying to 'push' for many years.

I was hopeful that when you said about comparing them to specification, that the specifications had surfaced.

They must exist somewhere! Not in the EMERs?

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Originally Posted by Surpmil

They must exist somewhere! Not in the EMERs?

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Never yet found the specific dimensions.
Every document (ancient & modern) simply says there is a 3-thou incremental increase in sizes

Example :-

Instructions To Armourers Rifle No4

1945 No4 Mk1 and Mk1* Parts List


Bolt heads increase by 0.003"

Maybe if someone could locate drawing DD(E)450/26 the answer could be found.

I'll chime in with my ever expanding experience with the Ethiopian owned SMLE and No.4 rifles. Yes, it's one of those imported by Interordnance. Every one that's been sent here so far, (I've lost count of the SMLE's without checking my record book and a half dozen No.4's), have been shot out so worrying about headspace and bolt head size is moot. Besides, unless you have a supply of new old stock bolt heads that have never been fitted, all the charts in the world won't sort you out. Anyhow, from what I've seen so far, they all need barrels and there is no supply of reasonably priced, original No.4 barrels available. The RFI barrels from Sarco for the SMLE are excellent while the supply lasts. MoD spec for throat erosion is a plug gauge measuring .310 entering the breech less than .25". Every one of the Ethiopian rifles I've checked swallow it and in a couple of them, the gauge ran clear through and dropped out the muzzle. So much for the .307 muzzle gauge and .301 bore run gauge. The long story short is that if you buy one of these rifles, be prepared to rebarrel it because it most likely needs it.

Would the rifling still be visible if the barrel was that shot out? Could I measure the throat with calipers? If this thing is unfirable I'm going to be less than thrilled to put it mildly...
Could you be able to tell anything if I got some pictures?

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Originally Posted by jasonafair

Would the rifling still be visible if the barrel was that shot out? Could I measure the throat with calipers? If this thing is unfirable I'm going to be less than thrilled to put it mildly...
Could you be able to tell anything if I got some pictures?

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It looks as if, unfortunately, you are just one of the hundreds that have been suckered into the RTI / Ethiopian history story, all of whom are newbies but see an abundance of rifles at prices a bit lower than commonly seen in the 'market' and expect similar price to equal similar quality.

Out of the dozens of postings on various forums not a single person has received what they hoped for or expected they'd get.

I’m trying to find a gunsmith that can give it a look and be able to check the headspace. If this thing turns out to be a turd, my wife will never let me live it down. I’ll try to get a decent picture of the barrel and post it tomorrow. Assuming headspace is good, would the worn out barrel be dangerous or just inaccurate? Any recommendations for a smith near Pensacola FL or Troy/Montgomery AL?