Question for the SMLE experts

[bigduke6]

Regarding the Fore end bolt plate, what was the main reason behind it ?

Information

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[5thBatt]

It's called the "Plate, stockbolt, Keeper" for stopping the stockbolt from coming loose by undoing.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

What 5th Batt said.

Sometime between the development of the SMLE and the No4, somebody discovered spring-washers.

My understanding is that the technical innovation of that two-turn spring washer, (WASHER, spring, stock bolt; Part No. CR389) came from some clever chap in India. It was probably a gun-plumber who had finally had enough of struggling with a big screwdriver to line the square end up perfectly, or repairing fore-ends after some bozo tried to dismantle a rifle in the wrong sequence or tighten up a butt that had shrunk in an extremely dry climate.

[bigduke6]

Thanks 5thBatt, couldnt remember the correct name, the first post should of stated the obvious (too many cans of the black stuff on board), always thought it was a bit over the top for a locking plate , thought there was an other reason, as at that time a simple locking nut would of been enough.

[5thBatt]

This was it's intended purpose but given it's design it would give additional strength to the rear of the forend.

[Son]

If you look at the rear of the foreend as if you were going to cut into it from top to bottom, there is two places, one at either edge of the gap in the middle where the trigger/ sear assembly goes, where you would only be cutting through less than about a square centimeter to get right through. Being endrgrain from there, it has very little strength to resist splitting and spreading, which is the first thing that happens once the foreend recoil lugs get compressed. The foreend tends to want to spread to go forward around the narrow recoil lugs of the receiver. The shape and fit of the "Plate, Stockbolt keeper" holds the foreend together against the spreading, keeping the recoil lugs in maximum contact, slowing down the damage to the surfaces of the wood.

Of course the No4 reduced the required mount of machining to serve the same purpose by using a strap around the outside. If the plate on the No1 wasn't to hold the rear of the foreend together, there would not have been a strap around the No4.

[5thBatt]

Page 99 TLE explains the reason for the Keeper plate.

[Ridolpho]

Edwards in "India's Enfields" states that the change occured in India in 1932 (ie to spring washer). He doesn't say whether the No.4 style flat metal strap replacing the brass screw or pin (ala No.4) was introduced simultaneously.

Ridolpho

[5thBatt]

The forend on my 1927 Ishapore MkIII has neither a Keeper plate or a Tie strap.

[Ridolpho]

5thbatt: So it would appear that after the change to the spring washer initially the old brass pin/ screw was relied on to stop the rear of the forend from spreading. My '39 MkIII (type 2) has the flat strap so somewhere between yours and mine they made the change.

Ridolpho