Attachment 114094
You can clearly see it in the brass one...tiny hole above the top screw. I was just cleaning my rifle and noticed it. This small hole is threaded too.
What's its purpose?
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Attachment 114094
You can clearly see it in the brass one...tiny hole above the top screw. I was just cleaning my rifle and noticed it. This small hole is threaded too.
What's its purpose?
On the backside, there is a screw that holds a flat spring in place, which keeps tension on the butt trap door, which keeps it closed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ssgross
That's it, I'm surprised you didn't see that when you turned it over too...Quote:
Originally Posted by smle addict
well silly me, I'm surprised now too. I guess before I took it off and disassembled, the screw was covered in grime along with the plate and I didn't see it, naturally assuming it wasn't drilled all the way through like a 1903, and never gave it a thought. I gotta stop doing this so late at night - either working or posting. I did have enough of my wits to snap a pic before cleaning it.
Attachment 114099
That's why you didn't notice it... I do video stuff now if I think it might be a problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by ssgross
I mis-read this topic as "small hole in butt" and spat my coffee..
glad I could provide some amusement! We certainly need it.
Actually, in all seriousness, the hole in this butt stock is small and tight. Looks like there is cloth patch that was wrapped around the stock bolt. It stayed in there when I removed the stock bolt - had to tap it out after unscrewing. I can see what appears to be cloth fibers around the rim of the hole. Will need to take my cheap bore/endoscope and check it out.
I owe you a cup of coffee, or 2, Rob.
EDIT: with all the grease cleaned...clearly they are wood fibers. either tear-out from when the hole was drilled, or shreaded from when the bolts leading edge was pushed through the tight hole.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ssgross
You obviously need a small butt-plug to fill the hole.
well, milsurps did it again...instead of a stupid question devolving into a feast for the trolls and online bullies like so many of the other forums, we keep it lighthearted, informative, and fun.
A pick of the butt in question...to keep it serious.
Attachment 114101
Well... there are a multitude of responses here I could come up with (so many possible responses regarding "holes" and "butts"), but I think I'll take the high road and keep it clean!
Before you re-install that bolt, give it a good cleaning (remove any rust) and then coat it in a light coat of grease. While you shouldn't be regulalry be removing the butt-stock, this will ensure if you need to take it off again, it will be easier.
I had a stock come very loose on an MLE of mine. When I tried to tighten, no luck, and decided to remove. Stock bolt was so swollen in rust, it had jammed solid in the stock. Took lots of soaking with oil, and sore shoulder when I wrenched down to finally remove it.
to summarize "tight butts drive me nuts" (couldnt resist!)
yep. I follow Peter L's advice in his butt fitting article on more than just enfields. It has been good practice to give a coat of XM??? grease (another thread here points to NLGI No 2 as the correct US substitute) on any wood to metal contact where the sun is not likely to shine for a long time.Quote:
Originally Posted by smle addict
I wasn't going to say it, lest I start up the "unwrap it or keep it wrapped" war again - but this was a wrapped 1955 mk 2. When I got it, the wrapping had worn on the butt and bolt handle. Front and rear sight protruding. The part of the buttplate and wood showing was starting to mold, and the paper at the bottom showed some water marks. In short, exposed parts of the rifle were noticeably degrading when I bought it. I debated, and considered the matter with my kids for many months.
It was time, and I'm not sorry.
To satisfy my concience only, I'm typing up a short letter on my 1945 smith corona (first year of re-production after the halt to make rifles in 1942) to put in the butt with the wrapper tags. It will read "my name is ###. I'm the original owner of this rifle. My kids are ###. They are next. I don't know who my grandkids are yet, but they will have their turn too, and add their names to this list list..."
Shhh. kids don't know I'm doing this. The look on their face when they find it long after I'm gone will be worth more than whatever value I've lost by unwrapping and shooting it.
Awesome, that'll be a great gift!
Agree with you 100% on the unwrap. At a recent gunshow, I saw an unwrapped Faz. The grease was as solid as plastic, as was the paper. At that point, one would have to evaluate (as you did) the need to either leave wrapped or unwrap.
Other than the points I mentioned, it's in great shape. Bore perfect and bright. I had mistaken reddish discoloration at the crown for surface rust. It was just from dust/grime hardened in the cosmoline. Stock had a thick layer of wax, with oil/grease stains in a few areas. Not wanting to sand them out (some too close to the markings or edges), I used the calcium carbonate trick (equivalent of brownell's "whiting powder"). Lightened right up. Final scrub with mineral spirits last night, and we are ready for raw linseed oil tonight!
Neither Brasso, nor soaking the buttplate in vinegar+baking soda touched the thick, green and moldy corrosion on the buttplate. So this morning before work I took a fine brass wire wheel on my dremmel. Cleaned right up without removing the tool marks from its original factory processing. I then polished it on a cloth wheel...I know there is a polish/don't polish war too on these. This one was so far gone, I polished only to have a blank canvas to work with. From here I'll let it take on its uniform, dull orange finish that it is supposed to have.
Suppose I need pictures too now that the cat is out of the bag...if only to redeem my original dumb question:)