Production figures for No.5 Rifle

[Peter Laidler]

The two patterns of metal forend caps had no bearing on the rifles, makers or years. You got whatever type came through the system. Like bayonet grips...... one hole or two, you got what you got! The part numbers were all the same. The metal ends were really nothing more than a PITA because once the water got under the metal - which it would inevitably after 10 minutes on a good day - or 5 minutes during the monsoon season - there was absolutely no way of drying them out, not even leave them nose down in the linseed tank, so they'd rust out and rot the wood. The only 'cure' was to drill out the rivet (was it brass as I recall.....), throw the cap away, plug the rivet hole, make good and round off. Total waste of time. Same as the rifle body and barrel too. Unless it was slathered on grease it'd come back a year later rusted solid