No.1 Mk3 Bolt Cracks

[seabot2]

Just trying to absorb some of the debate going on here. First, I have not yet seen the gun but I do suspect that the left lug was not in contact with it's recess and developed the crack while being fired, and then broke in half while being turned at a later time. The owner of the gun has read bolt fitting procedures here and on the Enfield forum and is capable of doing the work himself. He'll be installing a new bolt body which is available from Springfield Sporters, and also check headspace.
My take on forces involved during firing of the Enfield is that most forces generated behind the bullet leaving the gun is simply directed backwards. There is a relatively small pulling force caused by the friction of the bore and bullet with respect to the action. There might be other things to consider when destruction occurs, such as vibrations, metal bounce, etc..