Charger bridge issue

[newcastle]

After I'd fired 3 rounds through a new rifle (No.1 Mk3) for the first time this weekend I went to user some charger clips only to find that they wouldn't fit. The reason was that the left hand side of the charger bridge appeared to have come slightly away from the the receiver. The pins were still in place in the bridge outwardly but had no apparent contact with the recieiver. Said rifle is described elsewhere on another thread so my first thought was hmm maybe it was bubbaed and has just been stuck back on with glue? However Irrespective of this, the main concern is - is it safe to shoot with the bridge not holding the left and right side of the receiver a set distance apart?

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[Thunderbox]

The charger bridge provides no designed structural integrity - early Lee Enfields were produced without a bridge. It is common to find sporting and bubba conversions of both No1 and No4 rifles without a charger bridge.

[Brit plumber]

I wonder whats caused the ridge to pull away from the action? Is there any other obvious signs of damage? Could it have been knocked on the charger bridge?

[Thunderbox]

Can you post some photos?

Is the rifle a conversion of a Long Lee, or perhaps even a Khyber special?

[newcastle]

Supposed to be a 1914 Lithgow but it came from a gunbroker seller who has received 'poor' reviews on this forum, hence my wondering if it had been bubbaed previously and then a bridge stuck back on.
I'll try to take some pictures but can't remove the stock right now so can't strip it down fully. How do I add pics inot the posting on here?

[jrhead75]

Supposed to be a 1914 Lithgow but it came from a gunbroker seller who has received 'poor' reviews on this forum, hence my wondering if it had been bubbaed previously and then a bridge stuck back on.
I'll try to take some pictures but can't remove the stock right now so can't strip it down fully. How do I add pics inot the posting on here?

Considering where it came from (if I'm reading you right), a reworked bubba, a resurrected relic, or something along those lines is a very real possibility.

You need to put up some pics. To do so, go to the "Manage Attachments" button below the text box. Select "Add Files", then "Select Files"...browse to the location on your computer where the pictures are. Double click on the picture you want to upload, then hit "Attach Picture".

Should get you close anyway...

[villiers]

It could have been caused by a too heavily charged hand load. (Or by the infamous and dastardly oiled or wet chamber). I was always told that LEs tended to stretch outwards after a time and that this was checked for during FT.

[newcastle]

Thanks : I'll get that done tomorrow. Tonight is wife's birthday and if I did this tonight I'd be toast. watch this space.