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Thread: French Berthier Bolt Head Check and Extractor Removal Question

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    French Berthier Bolt Head Check and Extractor Removal Question

    Bought a Berthier rifle with a broken extractor. (missed during inspection at the gunshop)
    Seems the easiest way to get a replacement was to buy a bolt head assembly, so I got two.
    Upon arrival, they were compared to see how closely the measurement from face to lugs matched. Happy to report only 0.001" variance between the three, of which some variation was noted across the width bolt face itself.


    Quick temporary setup to get comparative numbers.


    So, looking like the quick fix is to drop one of the other boltheads into the rifle and go from there until more info is available about the best way of R&Ring the extractor. Does anybody have any experience doing this operation? Looks like the extractor needs to be driven rearward, just don't know if there's any hidden pitfalls or whether the act itself could endanger a good extractor. Will start with the broken one, but no rush at this point!

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Legacy Member RCS's Avatar
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    You would need to talk to Patrick Hernandez who is an expert on these rifles, you can find him on the Frenchicon Forum on Gunboards.com

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    Thanks! Haven't visited that forum in a coon's age. This and two other non milsurp forums are about the extent of my surfing the net lately.

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    You are correct, the extractor can be driven straight out from the front with a brass drift. Perhaps some support at the thinnest part of the extractor if you think it is prudent. Best. Tom

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    Thanks for the info and photos! Makes life much easier. If I could quit shooting IHMSA for a session or two, would have range reports on some rifles.

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    Vive le Berthier!

    Cleaned the rust out of the chamber which was much worse than the bore and finally(!) made it to the rifle range (with something other than long range handguns) to test fire.

    Worked just fine with the replacement extractor.

    No serious target work yet, but the battle sights were pretty close at 100yds using Prvi Partisan ammo.


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