Action/Receiver Canvas Cover Attachment

Noob questions; have checked site and can't find answer. A couple of excellent pics are posted at https://www.milsurps.com/content.php...e-Action-Cover, so I now know how to attach the NOS covers I just received from Apex.

The pic shows the cover tied through the small ring just in front of the trigger guard. Was this intended to not only keep the cover in place in case the snaps accidentally opened, but also to keep the cover attached loosely to the rifle once the cover was removed (i.e., hanging down while firing)? I've never seen this configuration in any wartime or other photos, so this seems unlikely.

Second, was this small ring used for any other purpose?

TIA.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tj214

Second, was this small ring used for any other purpose?

---

It was originally used for the chain holding the magazine.
In the 'early days' the magazine was chained to the action to stop it being lost, the magazine could be simply 'swung' into place. Once the idea of the 'chained' magazine was dropped the 'loop' was a carry-over which when it was found the the action cover could be tied to it was retained.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alan de Enfield

It was originally used for the chain holding the magazine.
In the 'early days' the magazine was chained to the action to stop it being lost, the magazine could be simply 'swung' into place. Once the idea of the 'chained' magazine was dropped the 'loop' was a carry-over which when it was found the the action cover could be tied to it was retained.

---

Not quite? In between the chain-loop and the action cover loop, there was a sling swivel attachment point there, for the cavalry to use in conjunction with the nosecap swivel mount. So the single-loop had to be deliberately reintroduced rather than a convenient holdover.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tj214

to keep the cover attached loosely to the rifle once the cover was removed (i.e., hanging down while firing)?

---

Personally having been in this situation in the bamboo before, I wouldn't have something hanging from my rifle loose. I'd stow it away for further use.

I think they saw much more use in WW1 than in WW2, and probably very little use by the introduction of the No.4.

I bought a couple of unissued ones 25+ years ago, when you could pick them up for peanuts at militaria fairs, and my father, who had joined the Army in 1944 and served until 1948, told me he had never used one or ever been issued with one during his service.

For what it is worth, the chain staple for the magazine link was centered on the trigger guard. The later models had the staple off set on the trigger guard and were for the breech cover thong.

Talking of breech covers some years ago I took Mrs Strangely Brown to see what was billed as the Great Dorset Steam Fair; it made a slight change from my normal, (sensible) interest in shooting but once you've seen one steam tractor you've seen them all IMHO.

As we were leaving one of the government surplus suppliers was packing up and had a huge pile of non descript items of webbing, bits of canvas and straps of all lengths. A green piece of canvas caught my eye and I asked what was happening to the pile which looked destined for the skip; any four items for a quid was the reply.
I found 13 green breech covers all costing 25p each!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Strangely Brown

As we were leaving one of the government surplus suppliers was packing up and had a huge pile of non descript items of webbing, bits of canvas and straps of all lengths. A green piece of canvas caught my eye and I asked what was happening to the pile which looked destined for the skip; any four items for a quid was the reply.
I found 13 green breech covers all costing 25p each!

---

They sound like the ones made for the Far East theatre, which were made from a lighter, and thinner green material.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GeeRam

They sound like the ones made for the Far East theatre, which were made from a lighter, and thinner green material.

---

IIRC they were all dated 1952 and had an (AM) Air Ministry stamp on them.

Quite an education for me--thanks to all!

Every time I come to this forum now I put another thing on my long, growing list of Lee-Enfield stuff I need to have in my life.

Endless isn't it!