Buttstock question.

[Nailcreek]

Were No.4 buttstocks fitted to No.1 rifles when necessary?

Information

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[Roger Payne]

No doubt somebody will be able to quote you chapter & verse on it, but in essence, yes, they were. I think it may have been in mid-WW2 that permission was given to fit No4 butts to SMLE's if needs be. They required minor modification, but could/can quite easily be made to fit.

ATB

[Nailcreek]

Thanks, a No.4 buttstock will fit a No.1 nicely, but I'm curious whether it was a shop practice.

[Peter Laidler]

Yes it was done, every day of the week in Armourers shops across the world. In fact there was even an EMER authority which also allowed the use of other interchangeable parts of parts that would interchange with basic fitting - such as a slight adjustment to the butt tennon taper and shape. Done hundreds of 'em

[Paul S.]

... They required minor modification, but could/can quite easily be made to fit.

ATB

True enough.

I did myself it years ago. All that was needed was a file, sandpaper and a bit of patience.

[Mk VII]

I've done it as well. Used a No.4 buttplate, otherwise it doesn't fit properly and looks poor.

[Peter Laidler]

GOOD reminder Mk7. The instruction also says that when using a No4 butt on a No1 rifle, then the No4 butt fittings must be used and the original items returned to RSSD/Ordnance for recycling, re-issue and re-use.

Don't take any notice of the recycling crap because we didn't and I don't know of anyone that ever did! As a matter of interest, we also used to fit No4 butt plates and sling loops to needy Lanchester butts that came in from pooled Aust/NZ and UK Navy Ordnance at Sembawang. Easy modification