7.62X51 bolt head ID

[Micheal Doyne]

You sure you wanted it for 'human dispatch' Michael? My constabulary would have taken a very dim view of that for a reason to acquire......!

Human/humane just a auto correct away, what the difference really any way.

[Lee Enfield]

The finished rifle 'less woodwork and accessories' is test fired with a proof load (or two) and marked as being proved.
Spares (bolts, bolt heads and barrels) are tested individually.

In the civilain market changing any 'pressure bearing' component requires the whole rifle to be sent for proof. I even had my local Police force tell me that changing the woodwork required the rifle to be re-proofed.
Many conversations resulted in 'no change' in their policy. I eventually had to get a letter from the Proof-House saying that all firearms are required to be prooved with the furniture removed (due to clamp-damage).
The Police still 'stuck to their guns' until I pointed out that the wood would have to be removed to be sent for proof, the rifle returned having passed proof, refit the woodwork (and under the Police 'rules') would then have to resend it for proof. Remove wood etc etc etc.......................

Proof firing reduces the life of the parts.

Proof firing a single time can in theory be justified - proof firing repeatedly is the ultimate in stupidity.

[Surpmil]

Proof firing reduces the life of the parts.

Proof firing a single time can in theory be justified - proof firing repeatedly is the ultimate in stupidity.

IMHO proving/proofing is mostly a money-mine, left over from the days before legal remedies for negligence when many guns, and probably not always the cheapest ones, were made from horseshoe nails or whatever bits of iron the "rag & bone" men etc. scrounged up.

[Alan de Enfield]

IMHO proving/proofing is mostly a money-mine, left over from the days before legal remedies for negligence when many guns, and probably not always the cheapest ones, were made from horseshoe nails or whatever bits of iron the "rag & bone" men etc. scrounged up.

It does go back to well before NDT

"The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1637 to promote and regulate gunmaking, a role it still fulfils today".

"It is still done as it has been since the Company was established in 1637: by firing the gun with an over-pressure charge of powder. If the gun survives undamaged, it will be safe to shoot. If it doesn’t, it is deemed unfit for sale "