Stubborn Butt Screw

[dseder]

1918 SMLE

I took her furniture off to clean her up but I cannot for the life of me get the butt stock off!!!

I noticed that she does not have the square bolt end as on other No 1 Mk III that I have seen. The butt stock is just a bit loose - i.e. you can twist it very very slightly about - like an eigth or quarter turn of the screw would tighten her up. I thought originally that the screw itself had bonded to the metal receiver as all old screws do, but I noticed while slightly twisting that the screw is moving inside of the receiver - meaning that the bolt head is bonded to the wood! A new one for me!

Any recommendations on breaking this bond?!?! I was hoping not to saw the old off and put a new on on but will do if that's what it takes.

Thanks!

Don

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Just make sure that you have removed the fore-end first. Look....... I KNOW you say that it hasn't got a squared thread end but I want to make sure.............

Remove the WAD, stockbolt (use an old wire coathanger.....) and get the correct BRACE, Armourers and BIT, stockbolt. If you ain't got the correct one, get a DECENT wide screwdriver. Put the butt in a vice with leather vice clamps and just unscrew the bolt.

I have NEVER found one that won't unscrew with a bit of decent torque.l Even the most rusted in, jungle, rain soaked, mangrove silted-up infested No5. Never cut one off either unless it had been run over or mine damaged

Over to you!

[Patrick Chadwick]

If you ain't got the correct one, get a DECENT wide screwdriver. Put the butt in a vice with leather vice clamps and just unscrew the bolt.

If the screwdriver is long enough, clamp the handle end of the blade in the vice and use both hands to turn the butt!

[dseder]

If the screwdriver is long enough, clamp the handle end of the blade in the vice and use both hands to turn the butt!

Very wise! That's why I'm in love with this board! Thanks gents! Unfortunately - I'm just going to clean her up as I can and wait until I get home to put her in the vice.

[dseder]

Thanks Peter! Such a trivial little thing - I truly thank you for your help! Yes - the forearm is off. Actually, this is my first SMLE but I remember Brian Dick reminding me of the square screw - he stuck that in my little noggin!

I am currently on TDY in Maryland right now and brought the rifle up as a bit of a project to keep my hands from being idle as I'm up here for four months! That being said - I didn't bring a vice and don't have my proper screw driver. I did purchase a large flat-blade but it doesn't seem to fit the head as well as the one I have at home. I was (rudimentarily!) holding the rifle stock under my knee and trying this out! For shame! Seeing the actual bolt turning threw me off as I have never had one stick to the wood - and didn't know if anyone had an instant where the wood swelled so much they couldn't get the bolt out.

I'll tidy this little lady up and get her home where I have the proper vice, etc. and I can properly apply some torque to her.

Thanks again!

Don

[5thBatt]

I use a old wheel brace to undo stockbolts, never failed me yet, in fact it has been used where the correct tool has failed.

[Peter Laidler]

Armourers screwdrivers (or turn-keys.....) were all hollow ground at the tips. Well, we were TAUGHT to hollow grind them but whether we did or not is another matter........ 5th Batts wheel brace idea sounds good as you ain't never going to break or bend it

[RobD]

And, as has been said before on similar threads, ensure the screwdriver tip is ground parallel-sided - not wedged like the end of a chisel - or the laws of physics mean it will exit the slot when you turn it forcibly.

[Peter Laidler]

That's the correct term Rob. That's what I meant to say when I said hollow ground. Same people divided by a different language!

[Brian Dick]

I use a big square shank screw driver from NAPA. Clamp the butt in the vice and put an adjustable wrench on the square shank. That method has never failed.