Removing #5 flash hider

[ikesdad]

I need to remove the front sight/flash hider on my #5 but I cant remember from what side the pins should be driven from.
Does anyone have this info ?

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[Roger Payne]

S'funny you should ask that question. I asked exactly it of a friend only days ago. (I have a very early No5 that needs rebarrelling). If push comes to shove I can get the pins out & replace with parallel pins, but it would at least be nice to know from which side front & rear were inserted. can anyone help?

[Peter Laidler]

If the taper is easily identiified from the parts list, that'll be the way. I forget offhand but you can use a vernier caliper on the heads. That's if the heads haven't been punched in or filed flat as per the EMER!

[Roger Payne]

Filed flush on mine, unfortunately....

[Peter Laidler]

Suggest gently punch with correct size short/stubby punch. If it doesn't move, then do the other side. It just needs the slightest movement to break a taper. Sasme principle as primary extraction

[Roger Payne]

Good idea, thanks. I suppose, as the barrel is shot out I could even cut the end off & machine out the stub - but I'll try your suggestion first. It's a very early rifle with straight flash eliminator ears (?!) & very low serial number, plus the receiver is good, so it's well worth spending some effort on restoring.

[bigduke6]

Ikesdad, Roger,

I,m sure in general Engineering practice (were possible) taper pins were fitted right - left, plus being an Enfield would of thought they would be fitted the same side as screws were fitted.

So removal would be left to right...... (I think)

[Peter Laidler]

What it REALLY needs is for a forumer out there to get his No5 rifle and a vernier and simply put it across the protruding ends of the taper pins. - if they ain't been filed off flat! That will be pretty conclusive.

I don't know why we ever pursued taper pins in small arms, especially machine guns! They aren't vibration proof and it only takes the slightest movement to break the taper and the taper pin becomes just another loose pin. Don't confuse this with loaded tapers like drill chucks and the like

[bigduke6]

On the Subject of the flash hider does anybody know were any are available, (repro or the real deal).

[villiers]

Think the one I murdered many years back was either heat shrunk or soldered as well as having the pins.