No 4(T) Faz

[husk]

This ‘41 Maltby escaped FTR and is a textbook example of the early conversions that are entirely devoid of the later TR, T, S51 markings. Still has the waisted foresight protectors, CEW bands, Beech wood & SM41 rear sight.Attachment 112317

Information

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[husk]

#2 Maltby

[husk]

#4 Maltby

[Surpmil]

#4 Maltby

Is that an Enfield-made cocking piece? it looks too finely made for Maltby.

I had a Maltby, a stripped one, SN in the 11300 range.

The early Maltby production seems to have been pretty good from the number of rifles that ended up as "T"s. They look well made and finished too.

[tonyd]

Good to see another maltby! Also like mine devoid of any of the normal T markings. Does yours have any inspection stamps or an E on the socket by the bolt entrance?

[husk]

There’s a proof on the socket but hard to tell if it’s an E. No proof on front pad.

[Roger Payne]

Interestingly my 41 Maltby T has its original bolt including a size '4' bolt head. Presumably factory fitted to enable an otherwise unserviceable product to be fielded. It is also daubed with green paint, presumably to camouflage it.

[Micheal Doyne]

Interestingly my 41 Maltby T has its original bolt including a size '4' bolt head. Presumably factory fitted to enable an otherwise unserviceable product to be fielded. It is also daubed with green paint, presumably to camouflage it.

I didn’t realise they even made a four bolt head, I always thought it went 0,1,2,3?

[GeeRam]

I didn’t realise they even made a four bolt head, I always thought it went 0,1,2,3?

That was my under standing as well. I have a vague memory of PL writing something on here about them making a tiny batch of number 4 marked heads to test viability of extending the life of some knackered rifles, but ended up ditching the idea.

[Alan de Enfield]

That was my under standing as well. I have a vague memory of PL writing something on here about them making a tiny batch of number 4 marked heads to test viability of extending the life of some knackered rifles, but ended up ditching the idea.

What PL wrote was that factories were not allowed to fit a No3 bolt head.

In 2007 :

There is a little more you might need to understand before you can appreciate the whole picture. The No4 rifle was a very precisely made piece of gear. The very fine production tolerances achievable meant that every rifle could be assembled with any parts from production within set tolerances and be correct for headspace with either a No0 or a No1 bolt head fitted. To leave the factory, that was between .064" and .068" headspace. If a rifle failed headspace in service (failed the "field" gauge at .074") Then it was sent back for repair. If it could be headspaced with the next size bolt head (either a 1 to replace a 0, or a 2 to replace a 1) it was deemed good to go. If a rifle did not pass headspace with a No2 bolt head, then it was passed up the line to the senior inspector who would apply the Gauge, Inspectors, Selected Breach Bolt. If the receiver passed the test, it could be fitted with a No3 bolt head and put back into service.
NOTE HERE. A NO3 BOLT HEAD WAS ONLY TO BE USED ON THE SAY SO OF THE SENIOR INSPECTOR.
If it did not pass the test, it would have been sentenced Z for return to the factory, (even if a No3 bolt head would pass headspace)


And in April 2008 :


I was having a chat to one of the most senior examining Armourers at a huge Base Workshops at Warminster a few days ago. Long retired, he was a 1930's apprentice and one of the very strict examiners. I was asking him about chroming bolt heads to get longer life out of heads bolts and bodies when he reported back something that was VERY interesting.
He said that during the mid 50's, there was a plan mooted to make a No4 size bolt head available so as to decrease the number of old wartime/tired/just plain worn out rifles being condemned as unfit simply because of excess CHS. The alternative was to increase the MAX CHS to .078".
He was involved in this project as the research Officer, so was in from the start. The PROBLEM was that once the BOLT, Inspectors, Gauge (a calibrated slave bolt used to test wear) plus a calibrated No2 bolt head (No3 not permitted at Base/Factory don't forget) had been inserted into the inspectors gauge bolt, then making a further bolt head available was palliative and not a cure because these simple tests indicated that it was the BODY that was worn and not the bolt or the face of the barrel. And thinking about it, while it's obvious really, it's absolutely correct!