Lee-Enfield No.4 RARE Bolt Head size 4

[jmoore]

The ROF(F) one I have also has "39" inscribed with an engraving pencil on the side where the extractor screw head is. When I measured it; sure enough, it's .639. I don't remember seeing any other bolt head marked this way with a "scratchy pen"....

Remotely possible it's one of my old spares. I had a pile of spare bolt heads at one point (No.1 and No.4 types) that I marked with the drop. No.1 type being larger, they usually got the full measurement, but No.4 type don't have as much "blank canvas". Most were in less than pristine condition, so didn't feel bad about adding the notation.


ETA: Only photo I found is of the No.1 type:
(Lower edge of upper bolt head. Looks like it's a .626".)


What I don't remotely understand is why the No.4 rifle incorporated a big ID chamfer at the forward end of the bolt body. The SMLEs have much more load bearing surface, sometimes twice as much! Not uncommon to find No.4 bolt heads with a worn ring on the back edge.