1917 end cap re-assembly

[Patrick Chadwick]

then end of the screw must have gotten buggered up when I removed it.

If the end of the screw was peened over or spread with a punch during the original assembly, as was done on some types of rifle to prevent soldiers from dismantling them, then that is exactly what has happened - the peened end has ruined the screw thread. This may, of course, have been done by a previous user.

Did you have to exert a lot of force when removing the screw?

---------- Post added at 09:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:03 PM ----------

Im pretty sure it was screwed in when I started because it did back out ever so slightly when I unscrewed it and I had to poke it with a punch to get it out.

Yep, sounds like the screw thread was already FUBAR and it was only hanging on by the spread metal.

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[Hoss]

Did you have to exert a lot of force when removing the screw?

I didn't have to whack it, I just poked it with the punch. I don't think it was very much force and it should have already been away from the metal. Numrich has the screws for $2.50 and the cap for $8. I'd rather not replace the cap but if the screw is just buggered up that will be easy.

Here are some pics I took before I started messing with it. They are all very dark so I'm only posting a few that show interesting stuff. I'll take some pics outside this weekend.

Anyone ever seen the bare wood under the bolt handle and safety? Is that a sign that someone refinished the stock and just didn't stain those parts?

[Patrick Chadwick]

Anyone ever seen the bare wood under the bolt handle and safety? Is that a sign that someone refinished the stock and just didn't stain those parts?

It looks to me as if someone shaved off a sliver of wood beneath the bolt handle. Deduction: it didn't fit, as it surely would have done when it left the arsenal, so something was altered - new bedding or replacement stock.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Filed or shaved beneath the bolt handle and the safety lever. So the system was sitting too low in the wood. Since wood does not normally expand on rifles stocks, but rather shrinks a little over decades, I reckon there is something non-original about the barrelled system/stock combination. Considering that together with the front band/screw problem, I think you need to check the rifle over minutely for other signs of mishandling.