for the HT buffs

[bigduke6]

Reading through the last EMEI, on trooper554877 first page regarding the nose cap, would this have been done on a standard SMLE at some point? only ask as I noticed yesterday as I was searching for some bits and found the nose cap screws for my Lithgow 1926 ( FTR in 53,) as it was missing one, just wonder if the nose cap was exchanged at a later date and was on top of the box as Peter often describes as being closest to hand when at the repair bench.

[Badger]

Badger, when you get a chance, wrt the pages already posted into the MKL, could you move the first page, about "zeroing and accuracy" along the line so it is the fourth page with only the trigger adjustment after it on the top line of pics. That puts the ones we have there in order. These can go as they are directly underneath.

Done ...

Regards,
Doug

[Peter Laidler]

If you mean cut the holes in the ears then no, it was never a UK Military modification. All of ours that remained at EY's and those in Cadet service retained solid foresight protector ears.

[muffett.2008]

My impression was that it was an OZ modification, looking at the supposedly squared off hole I'm thinking maybe someone was trying their own improvement.

[bigduke6]

My impression was that it was an OZ modification, looking at the supposedly squared off hole I'm thinking maybe someone was trying their own improvement

Thats what I thought at first, regarding the not so square hole, but reading further it stated about the left wing could be drilled etc, fits the bill and it is an Oz rifle.

[Peter Laidler]

If I remember from my time in Oz/Bandiana, that one hole is squared off to allow the actual blade to be changed for one of a different height. The other hole is just drilled and left round if I remember.

[muffett.2008]

Thats what I am getting at, this hole is squared and lookout the armourer that didn't do it correctly as per the EMEI.
The ASM would chew your ears off. The example in the photo is the bodgiest I've seen and possibly not done in service.

[Son]

The initial instruction for the mod, dated from memory mid 1944,,,, ah, found it LES P311... Quoting Ian...
Rectangular windows were cut into nosecap forsight protectors by field and base RAEME workshop unitsso as to permit foresight replacement or adjustment without removing the nosecap. This modification was introduced for production nosecaps in 1944 and was probably due to the favouragle experience with the foresight protector on the No4 rifle.
In the 1956 armourers instruction for this modification an alternative was advised for convenience in machining in which the rectangular aperture could be cut on the right side only, the aperture on the left side being replaced by a 3/8th " hole conforming with the centre of the rectangular aperture on the opposite foresight protector.

That pretty much settles that one. I personally don't think a great many got the mod toward the end of WW2, as i can't recall too many with both sides cut rectangular... However I have seen a few slightly inaccurate (to use the term loosely) rectangles done. These could well have been done with a drill press and a file, perhaps even by the hundreds as a "learning experience" for apprentices in the fifties.... I'd have had the little buggers doing it, for sure!