Safe to remove forestock?

[Alan de Enfield]

The 'butt-bolt' warning is a carry-over from the No1 Mk3 /SMLE bolt which had the 'square end', the No4 butt-bolt design / manufacture was modified by excluding the square end. Subsequently as No1's went in for repair or service, the square end was removed.

If you have a No4 with a butt-bolt with the square end then someone has fitted a No1 bolt (they are both the same thread form).
The problem is that you will not know exactly which bolt you have until it has been removed - it is therefore good advice (at least for the first time) to remove the forend before removing the butt.

Source : Peter Laidler (Sun 16 Mar 2008 5:14 am)

All UK Military No1 rifle stock bolts still in service after about 1948/49 (should have) had the squared-off portion ground off to No4 rifle length and a double coil THACKRAY washer fitted, as per the No4 rifle.

The stock bolt must be at least ONE COMPLETE SCREW THREAD below the inner face of the butt socket. If not, then DO NOT bodge by fitting another thackray washer, but either fit another flat washer below the bolt head or grind off a suitable amount of the thread. The bolts are very hard, so grinding will be the order of the day.