a question about Myths and Truths of No.1 EY Rifles (by Peter Laidler)

[5thBatt]

I think this point came up recently in another thread. The Indians produced modified forends for the SMLE later on in which the stock bolt keeper plate was dispensed with & a simple tie plate as per the No4 Mk1 forend was used. This also meant that the simplified (no squared off bit on the front end) No4 stock bolt could be employed. As mentioned above though, a Thackray type spring washer was required to tension it all.

The Indians did away with the keeper plate before the introduction of the tie plate & simply put a spring washer on the stockbolt, externally the forend looked the same as any British or Australian made rifle.
The forend on my 1927 Ishapore, it is numbered to the rifle but cant guarantee the forend dates to 1927 as it could have been replaced