Show your ShtLE Mk V

[Homer]

What on earth is the problem with non-matching bolts? In the real words of Armourers shops around the world, this is what you do. You check the bolt that is already fitted OR take another bolt - new or good used - off the shelf, then fit it according to the simple (?) instructions regularly repeated on this forum. That been done, then you clean off the back of the bolt and then do one of two things. A) put it in the special jig in the pantograph engraving table and engrave the rifle serial number or; B) Put it onto the leather jaw clamp vice and stamp the new number into it.

Label old bolt with UNCHECKED label ready to go to calibration lab.

There, that wasn't toooooo difficult was it?

I agree.

Information

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[breakeyp]

The top rifle was set up for evaluation of the design that became the No.5 Mk1. Note the odd shape of the forestock nose cap. I believe it was later upgraded with the grenade launching spigot.

The second rifle is a takedown model made up by Greeners for the South African Police. The buttstock bolt is removed by an attached telescoping tube and folding wrench handle held in the butt trap. There are two known to me in the US. This is pictured in Skennerton's books.

Attachment 66062

[tatou]

What on earth is the problem with non-matching bolts? In the real words of Armourers shops around the world, this is what you do. You check the bolt that is already fitted OR take another bolt - new or good used - off the shelf, then fit it according to the simple (?) instructions regularly repeated on this forum. That been done, then you clean off the back of the bolt and then do one of two things. A) put it in the special jig in the pantograph engraving table and engrave the rifle serial number or; B) Put it onto the leather jaw clamp vice and stamp the new number into it.

Label old bolt with UNCHECKED label ready to go to calibration lab.

There, that wasn't toooooo difficult was it?

Not too difficult but.... what on earth is a pantograph thingy ? sorry just joking.

You are right Peter, a non-matching bolt is not really a big thing. Exect maybe that a full matching are a bit more desirable in the collecting world.
But that doesn't botter me, i did buy it fully knowing it was not matching.
I know that when it was in service the last thing on an armorer's mind was matching little numbers but making sure the rifle would perform well when needed.

Condition is also an important part of collecting and the condition of this one is one of the reason i bought it.

The wrong kind of part (in my case the safety lever) botters me more that the matching of the bolt. But i also knew that when i bought it.
Maybe one day i will find one to replace it... one can dream....

Thanks Peter for a glimpse into an armorers work and thanks to the other that showed me what a real Mk V looked like. CHEERS !!

[Peter Laidler]

I know I go on about the real world in real Armourers shops but here's another example of how things really worked. And really, truly sorry if you discover that your L1A1's have suffered this tale of woe and now contains an unreal part.......

In the late 70's, after production of L1A1's had totally ceased it was discovered that there was a shortage of foresight blade locking screws. They always got a bit of a pasting with constant use during zeroing with the tender range controllers shearing the screw heads off amongst other things. No new supplies had been ordered due to an oversight and dues-out were scheduled for a year ahead due to contracts with alternative manufacturers and specifications being met and agreements with FN and.............. So a bright spark suggested that instead of having rifles waiting un-repaired for a year and all that that entailed, why couldn't Ordnance just modify the SCREW, retaining, lever locking catch. It was simplicity itself and I won't go into it but basically it involves cutting the extended shank off with a hacksaw and..... There were 17,000 of said screws in Ordnance.

So that's just what they did. Everyone was happy. Likewise if you have a modified lever locking screw in the gas block, it's how we did things in the real world..........

Re the top rifle in thread 12 Paul. That grenade sight isn't a UK pattern Paul. It looks too much like the India pattern to me. Could this rifle have originated from India?

[browningautorifle]

It was simplicity itself

And the junior man was set about doing it...

[Peter Laidler]

There was a bit of a sequel too....... Well into the L85/SA80 era, I was given a somewhat large collection of brand new L1A1 spare parts to go through to keep and/or dispose of accordingly. Tucked inside was a 1969 sealed green plastic ordnance issue bag of, probably, 2,000 of said SCREW, locking, foresight that were in such short supply for so long!

[browningautorifle]

That's where they all were then, hiding in some fellow's toolkit. Doesn't matter, they'd have lasted through the first Annual Tech Inspection and been consumed...no difference.

[breakeyp]

Peter, a very astute observation! Ian's book has the fore end early prototype No.5. There was an exchange of information/test pieces between UK and Indian during WWII. I suspect India added the gl launcher to a sample they had laying about. The Laidler principle--- keep it simple. I doubt that either England or India had intentions to go into production with the No.1 MkV at the end of WWII. It does give a longer sight radius for what ever testing was at hand.

[bigduke6]

Whilst still on the subject of the No1 MkV, there was a pic I think in Ian's book of one in .22, was this or is this in your collection Paul and was it just a one off or were a few converted?

[breakeyp]

Whilst still on the subject of the No1 MkV, there was a pic I think in Ian's book of one in .22, was this or is this in your collection Paul and was it just a one off or were a few converted?

I can't comment. Not mine anyway. If its in Skennerton, I will have to go look for it. Parker Hale would reline anything to .22 LR.