Ishapore 2A1 Nose Cap Screw

[Wineman]

I decided that it was time to strip and clean my Ishapore 2A1. Fairly grimy but no apparent rust issues. When I tried to put in the horizontal (longest) Nose Cap screw back in it just keeps turning. It appears to thread OK from the opposite side, but left to right it has no take up. The total length is 31.2 mm, the head is 9.5 mm in diameter, the shaft is 29.2 mm long the un-threaded shaft is 4.7 mm in diameter and the threaded portion is ~8 mm long. There is a small hole in the threaded section like you could upset the threaded portion to enlarge it. Does the SMLE 1/III screws (non counter sunk) work with the 2A1?

Thanks,

Dave

Information

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[Wineman]

Amazing what you find out when you do a bit of research. The nose cap is not an Ishapore but a standard SMLE style, rounded, curved, fairly thick ears, piling swivel hole, no holes for light in the ears. A new screw has the same issues, it will not tighten, so it appears that the threads in the nose cap are worn. The tip of the screw protrudes about 1/8" on the right side. The metal is thin so I'm not sure if it can be repaired. Various poor man's ways would be epoxy and wax on the screw, copper wire wrap, soft solder on the screw, 2BA thin nut on the exposed threads, new nose cap. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

[Workaholic]

Check an auto parts store or a big hardware chain like Menards/Lowes/Home Depot for a helicoil. These are used to repair loose threads on things like spark plug holes in an engine. If you can find one the right size, you'd insert it in the end cap, put the screw back in and you're good.

[Alan de Enfield]

Check an auto parts store or a big hardware chain like Menards/Lowes/Home Depot for a helicoil. These are used to repair loose threads on things like spark plug holes in an engine. If you can find one the right size, you'd insert it in the end cap, put the screw back in and you're good.

Remember that the NO1 Mk3 used non-standard screw / bolt sizes as the "Enfield Inch" is not the standard 'Imperial Inch', and the thread forms are unique.

The bolt size is 0.1975" dia x 33 tpi and I very much doubt you'll find a helicoil that size.

If replacing it with a helicoil you may as well get a standard size and use a standard size bolt.

To the OP - tightening up threads with solder was standard practice with military armourers, so you could just follow their lead.

[Bob Womack]

HERE is a page where you can get a late RFI (Rifle Factory Ishapore) No.1 Mk.III nosepiece and screws for $25. Done. Though not a 2A1 part, it is even a late version with squared ears.




Numrich also has No.I Mk.III parts including the nosepiece and screws, HERE.

Bob

[Wineman]

I have done heli-coils for engine parts. This screw is so small and of course non standard threads, the HC is probably a no go. I have some rosin core electrical solder and a gun (something like 50 years old, got it as a teenager). If not, a new nose piece is the way to go. I have used Liberty tree in the past. Good guys. Thanks for the tips and help.

Dave

[Wineman]

Soft solder, did not work in this application, maybe an acid core solder would be better than the electronic rosin core I used? I took a few strands of transformer wire (school electromagnet project) maybe 30 gauge and slipped them alongside the screw through the hole in the nose cap. Presto! A tight screw that seemed to be not likely to back out. The extra wire just breaks off. The range will be the test though. These are not classics, but as a knock about rifle that could get the job done if asked, I am glad to have it.

Again thanks!

Dave