Inner Band Problem on my No.1 MK.3

[Bruce_in_Oz]

There was an enormous amount of hand-fitting of wood and metal in the Lee Enfields. These rifles were also built to the service practice of developing a "generic" tuning of the rifle to a specific, mass produced ammunition. Not like "sporting" rifles.

The inner band combo, the plunger and stud retained by the nose-cap and the nose-cap itself, were all made "just so" as part of that tuning operation. 3.5 MOA or better, with a "select" batch of "issue ball" was the test, Perhaps fitting precision-made metal components to a lump of wood and expecting the assembly to "behave itself" seems like a fools errand, these days, but, for the most part, it worked. If it delivered 3.5MOA or better from a steady rest AND the group could be zeroed with the simple swapping of fore-sight blades within limits, it was "good enough for Government work"

What it does with "other / non-authorized" ammo was not their concern, If your rifle is set-up exactly to "Mil-Spec", then it will probably work to "Mil Spec" with the authorized ammo. If, unlike most of us, you have a pallet or two of fresh Mk Vll ball tucked away in a cool, dry place, you are on a winner.

However....

Armourers of yore were more than mere "parts-swappers". They were highly-trained tradesmen who, when not maintaining a fleet of small arms, could be found fabricating Unit barbecues, workshop gizmos for the vehicle mechanics, etc., etc.