Taylor LLC 1897 trench Gun Heat shield problem

[Leggett71]

I am having a problem getting a 1917 bayonet to mount on the replica 1897 heat shield lugs I ordered from Taylor LLC.

Difficult figuring exactly why the bayonet will not go on the lugs.
Wondering if anyone has had the same problem and how they resolved it.
Contacting Jack at Taylor has not provided a solution.

Regards,
Leggett

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Is it the muzzle ring or the lug, or the mortise slot? Could just be a gimble on one of them. That's not even uncommon. Hard to see for sure too sometimes.

[Leggett71]

Jim,

The mortise slot is binding.

Taking some measurements with my dial calipers and comparing to an original mount
The machined male "T" that fits the bayonet mortise slots are 0.005 narrow causing the bayonet to bind and the vertical and horizontal legs of the "T" are also undersized from my original by as much as 0.060 on the vertical & 0.040 on the bottom legs, which would allow the lug to be inserted at an slight angle not centering the bayonet in the mortise, possibly aggravating the binding I am seeing.

Looks like I need to find a mill and open the slots.
You think that would solve my issue?

Thanks,
Leggett

[browningautorifle]

Yes. This isn't even an uncommon issue with bayonets and their mated rifles. Sometimes they take a bash and it sets them off a bit. This case is undermachining I guess, I'll bet their test model fits perfectly. Fix the handguard in this case I think, the bayonet should be OK. You might even be able to use a small file, needle file. It isn't much you need to remove...

[Leggett71]

Thanks,

Appreciate your reply.

Leggett