Armourers No1 and No4 Action Wrench

[bigduke6]

I,m looking to make a copy (to use) of the action wrench as seen in "Accurizing & shooting Lee Enfields" By Brian Labudda and Ian Skennerton, a few questions to the Armourer,s out there.

The wrench in the above book, am I right in saying it is hinged at the centre and the top "keep" folded out to allow the wrench to close over the action and then closed to lock everthing up ?

Was a similar version produced for the No4 ?

Information

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[Roger Payne]

It's not exactly the same but I use a PH Service vise with a solid spanner (it is not open & you have to drop the barrelled action through it), but it works well on everything except No5's. I know someone who, I think, has a spare spanner. Let me know if you're interested & I'll give him a shout.

ATB

[bigduke6]

Thanks Roger, PM sent

[Brian Dick]

My wrench is much like Roger's. It was cnc torch cut and won't foul the front guard screw spigot which is the big complaint with Brownells' and other wrenches. If you crush the spigot, you usually wind up filing it off because they're near impossible to straighten out.

[Roger Payne]

Thx Brian. Yes, the PH spanner was specifically made for working on No1's & No4's.

[Brian Dick]

Mine came from "you know who" via CS in Canada along with a vise and jaw blocks from the RSAF. Is it the same as a PH or custom? Would you believe my burners for my Park and rinse tanks are PH!! That was a fluke since I've had them since I started the business in the garage of my old house in Florida! They were carried into a pawn shop by a retiring gunsmith.

[Simon P]

Ive just made something similar for the P14 Action based on the one that Terry Abrams uses.

I used EN8 Steel, purely because we have a load at work

[bigduke6]

Thanks too all above, but just before it goes off on the many variations that are at hand, I,m trying to find some better pics etc of the one I described in the firstpost, the split type used for the SMLE, and also has anyone used one of these ?

[Son]

I also made one for myself that has proven to be very good having removed and fitted at least a dozen barrels. I have a detailed drawing of it here somewhere as well as step by step instructions to make it. It was made to suit the SMLE, and then slightly modified to fit the No4 as well.
Yell out if you want me to dig them up and post them here. One thing I will say, I have come across a lot more than one barrel that required several big blows with a 4lb blocky on the end of the wrench "handle" to unscrew them. It has not marked a front trigger guard screw lug or receiver ring yet.

[breakeyp]

My barrel vise and action wrench obtained from a Canadian reserve unit.