"Double Naught" bolt head in L42a1?

[jmoore]

From Peter Laidler's "L39... Weekend Reading" thread I saw that "00" bolt heads were made for these rifles. I'm hoping that would also be the case for L42a1's as that's what is in my nice "new" flogged out rifle. (Logic doesn't always apply when there's manuals and forms to be followed...)

From the article:
"Now here’s a surprise…….. Para 20 states that certain rifles are fitted with a special factory size 00 bolt head. ‘……..at the factory only, it is used when assembly tolerances require a smaller had than a ‘0’. The bolt head is special and is not provisioned as a spare’."

Link to the other thread:

L39 owners weekend reading............ - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

The 00 boltheads didn't generally apply to the L42 although if need be, it could and did. The 'problem' is that a 00 size bolthead was shorter that a 0 (and NOT longer than a 3), being a size 0 ground back shorter.

These were made so that new-old-stock Mk2 bodies with tight tolerances or barrels with shallower chamber shoulders could be used instead of being wasted.

It's difficult to understand how a well used L42 could benefit from a SHORTER bolthead unless that particular barrel has a shallower small cone in the equally shorter chamber. But if the shallow small cone applied to an L39, then the same would apply to an L42

[jmoore]

Replacement but matching bolt (drawn from spares?). At least it appears to be the case. Well fitted pressure bearing surfaces and everything has the "19T" proofs. Its definitely been around the block a few, but that's what made it so attractive-


"New" condition and sniper rifle ought not go together...

[arado]

checked my L42 and it has a "3" bolt head. . Full match. Gary

[Edward Horton]

Mr. jmoore

Just out of excessive compulsive head space curiosity, what is your L42 head space set at. (I gots to know)

Below, visual example of "excess head space".

[jmoore]

That's a question for Captain Laidler, which I believe he's answered in great detail previously. I believe their gages use slightly different datum (data?) points than what's used over here.

I must admit I don't worry about it unless something seems amiss. In fact, its been a few years since I've bothered to check anything...No dramas yet!