Lee Enfield stocks wrapped with copper wire ?

[breakeyp]

The British Textbook of 1939 discusses the wire wrapped grenade launching rifles. The first ones were wrapped for grenade launching training and non wrapped were used at the front. Continuous use as launchers had recoil issues where the constant pounding tended to move the forestock back into the receiver, splitting the back of the forestock. Eventually GL rifles were dedicated with wire wrapping. India/Pakistan (one or the other, I have yet to find out definitively) used sheet steel wrapping held together by screw. This allowed wood switch out with out have to unwrap the wire. This was done just before the No.1 was phased out.

If any one cares, I can photograph a No.1 MkI*** where the foresstock side is gone from excessive grenade firing. I think its neat.

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[Alan de Enfield]

Continuous use as launchers had recoil issues where the constant pounding tended to move the forestock back into the receiver, splitting the back of the forestock. .

I guess the fact that the butt was driven into the ground would mean there was no 'give' and all of the recoil went thru' the woodwork.