An explosively dismantled Enfeld

[Beerhunter]

Forend serial (and bolt) don't match the action.

The fact that the bolt had an intact firing pin also made me think all would be well.

But it ain't the right bolt!

[5thBatt]

>>>This incident again makes me wonder why the US and some other countries have no system of proof or other stringent check. At least in UKicon and Europe you can be reassured that your salvaged DP or home-made conversion is safe enough by submitting it to an independent over-proof test..... <<<

It makes no difference if the hole is drilled after the fact. Plenty of junky #4s made it to the US with British proffs all over them. It is never safe to assume the government is going to act in your best interest. Who knows how many hands a rifle passes through after proof.

Yep, we need more rulesregulations to help control firearm safety, after hearing about this event, I'm really scared for my safety & that of my family & Friends

[jmoore]

O.k., I should have qualified that to include the existence of supporting law as well - i.e. in UK and Europe its a responsibility of a dealer to ensure firearms are in proof, and for any firearm to be re-submitted to proof if any change has occurred that affects a pressure-bearing part (change of bolt, hole drilled through barrel...). This doesn't cover a private to private deal

Given that this occurred in New Zealand, I'm guessing that those "wild colonials" aren't under the same proofing regulations as the UK?

[Peter Laidler]

Nope........... no more rules needed. Just a good helping of the bleedin' obvious.

Look at the bore, not down the barrel

[Brian Dick]

I might add that sellers of old rifles should be responsible and check them over properly before resale.

[RJW NZ]

I just received a brief email to say that on back tracking some of the rifles history, it may have been on display at a servicemans club in the past, where it was deacted in the interests of not having a shootable firearm on display. Whether this was sold close to this set up or it had traveled several owners before I don't know. The deact could have been done by someone somewhat knowledgable or simply a casual bubba job by a club member.

[Mk VII]

It's easy to miss holes like this if you aren't looking for them.
I was once shown one which I was told had been drilled by some home bodger, and you would have missed it with a casual look down there.

[Peter Laidler]

I disagree most strongly Mk7. Even a cursory look down a barrel should identify something like a hole!!!!!!! When viewing, you look at the bore, not through the barrel!

[Mk VII]

They (multiple) weren't very obvious, until you really looked.

[breakeyp]

I might add that sellers of old rifles should be responsible and check them over properly before resale.

Brian I agree with you in a perfect world but in this one, I don't trust most of the sellers to know anything about what they are selling other than to get the money. I know you go over your stuff but I have seen DP guns sold as being DP marked for the Detroit Police. BLR was Burma LIght Rifles. and so forth. Greedy seller and gullible buyer can cause an increase in medical bills. One old boy told me his guns were safe as he had his idiot brother in law shoot them!