Permit me to apologize for my failing memory and correct a statement that I made about that "sprung" SMLE.
I have kept in touch with the owner of that rifle and he recalls the incident very well. He told me that the action did not "spring back" and that it couldn't have because the case (the one I pictured) was stuck in it. He did get the bolt out and the receiver did not appear broken or cracked, so he pounded it back straight and did fire it with a new bolt, but then took off all the parts and smashed it so it could not be used again. (Those guns were all of $9.95 at the time, so it was not a major loss.)
Again, my apology for the mis-statement.
Jim
