Safety catches on SMLE's and No4's

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Safety; safety check:

Is the spring still "springy?

Is the spring held properly in place by the screw?

Is there a deep groove worn in the lever, either side of the detent hole?

Is the tiny "driving flat" on the tip of the locking bolt portion of the lever assembly worn?

Is the safety catch proper (the threaded ring and stick thing that threads onto the lever) worn or damaged?

If on a SMLE, is the "washer" with the "V" notches in it in place between the spring and the lever? This little washer is a leftover from earlier days and is basically a stub of the old "long -range" volley sight arm. Hence, on a SMLE, the "detent" function is provided by the hardened pins in the receiver, whilst on a No4, this is more simply achieved by notches in the lever and a new, horizontally mounted spring. Many late-production Lithgow safeties have a washer that is "notchless"; seems sensible, once the volley sights were "out", there wasn't much point in the detent notches: Even less point if a plain, flat spring were fitted.

NOTE: Whilst SMLE and No4 safety components may look similar, ALL of the components are different. Not only the shape changed, but even the multi-start thread (that serves to drive the catch in and out as the lever is manipulated), is a slightly different diameter and form, just to confuse the unwary.