Quote Originally Posted by Ridolpho View Post
Warren: It would be interesting to try to re-unite bolts and rifles although I wonder if the original would still be a good fit after long term use of a different bolt. Is it possible that the military at the time didn't consider matching bolt/ action important? Skennertonicon, in his big book, mentions that one of the "items" considered for improvement of MLE accuracy was more careful balancing of lug and rib aginst their respective shoulders. Did procedures (including the second proof) change dramatically with the SMLE? Thanks,

Ridolpho

I don't think it would be a problem: safety wise, to reunite the rifle and correct number bolt. Most of these rifles never fired a shot in anger nor probably fired more than 10 rounds a year in their lifetime. I also doubt it they were even used for parade looking at the butt plates. I suspect they sat in the amoury at "Pump Handle Sask." (mythical place by the way) and never saw the light of day.