Lee Enfield No 4 Mk1 1942 would like to have details of rilfel confirmed

[CINDERS]

Bolt head sizes for the 4's were 0, 1, 2 and 3 but as has been discussed here a while ago if it needs a 3 to bring it to spec it is the action/bolt may be getting tired or worn we had a discusion some years ago about the size of them but there is no standard size as they each fall between a certain range for each number.
Example a No.1 bolt head may range between .634 to say .638 and everything in between those two numbers if I am incorrect then others will chime in but that's pretty much the jist of it.
The amourer would fossick around till the found one that needed the minimum work to make the rifle in spec and go from there making the final adjustments by hand.

I think I have a No. 3 bolt head in my collection somewhere will measure it I did this before but cannot find that damn bit of paper......

Was there ever a No.4 bolt head PL or is that a pot of cow dung rumour

[Peter Laidler]

No4 bolt heads........... Well, there was never such a beast in UK, NZ or Canadian military service but they do appear sometimes and I resume they are some foreign manufacture.

As a tried and tested rule, if CHS cannot be obtained using a gauge/calibrated bolt and a 3 bolthead (or a 2 bolt head at Field and Base workshop, then the rifle body is worn. More to it than that of course but..........

[Brian Dick]

The #4 bolt head I have on my desk, (which is likely where it will stay forever!), was made by the ROF Fazakerley. It's the only one I've ever seen and measures .639.

[Peter Laidler]

I wonder if a No4 bolthead was a wartime expediency. But it never featured in any parts list, miscellaneous instructions, memorandums for Armourers or weapon training memos. There was a relatively rare and little known 00 bolthead that was specifically authorised after much discussion for L39's and 42's in order to enable tight bodies (and don't tell anyone I told you this......) and/or shallow chambered barrels to be used.

[CINDERS]

So there you go learnt two things here the No 4 size bolt head exists and a 00 size well there ya go always a font of knowledge here on this site
Hopefully CN will post some pics of the T they have...

[Cheese Noodles]

Very interesting. The Lee Enfield does have a lot of details to learn. I will get pictures of my T, but it is not some of the impressive rifles that have been posted. I had a chance meeting with somebody that had inherited it and want to sell it. The stock is not original is my best guess. All that will have to wait until I get pictures. I have enjoyed confirming the details on my No4 Mk1.

[Brian Dick]

I've seen a few "00" bolt heads. All on L39A1 or the commercial No.4 7.62 Conv. target rifles as Peter stated. I don't think I' ever saw one on an L42. As for the #4 bolt head, the one I have is the ONLY one I've ever seen "in the flesh". I think Roger Payne has one too that he kept for posterity.

[Peter Laidler]

The 00 boltheads were originally the preserve of the L39 Brian as they were using very tight, brand new no4 bodies. Laater they were authorised at the factory for use on L42's in order to utilise perfect new barrels (that would otherwise have to be scrapped) in worn No4T's. On the basis that in service and with inherent wear, there would be no need for the 00 bolthead to be a stock issue item with all that that entails (supply and codification and all that Ordnance stuff.....)

[Flying10uk]

Cheese Noodles the "S" you mention on the upper surface of the stock indicates a short stock; about 1/2" shorter than a standard length stock. Slightly surprising as it looked longer, to me, but things can look distorted in a picture sometimes.

[Cheese Noodles]

Very interesting. OK, L for Long and S for Short. Is there a standard length? Was the rifle and issued with these with variations matched to the best fit of the soldier? This would be the WWII years. The Lee Enfields have become much more interesting as I learn the meaning and history of the markings.