South African No 1 Mk 3 barrels?

[Roger Payne]

I encountered exactly this problem a couple of weeks ago when I fitted a NOS 1950's production SA barrel to a WW1 SMLE for a friend of a friend. The originals are the oddball EFD thread but I'm pretty certain, as MkVII said, the SA barrel inner band is a standard British Association thread, although I've already forgotten if it was 0 or 2 BA!! I'm pretty sure it was one or the other.

---------- Post added at 12:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:09 AM ----------

Just went out into the workshop & checked my crib sheet. The original screw is quoted as 0.1875" dia x 33 tpi. It is stated that 2 BA will work as an alternative..

[birdhound]

It is 2BA, or at least very close. I run a 2BA tap into the inner band and a 2BA die over the inner band screw. Cleans things up and makes assembly easy. I still maintain that these barrels have never been fitted to a rifle. None of the considerable quantity that I have had show any evidence of previous fitting. As stated before, the muzzles are not even crowned.

[Roger Payne]

I agree re the barrels being new. All of the examples I have had are brand new & still covered in the factory grease, which takes some removal. Running a tap down the inner band hole & a die down the screw threads works fine in my experience, although I think I did make a screw from scratch once. My barrels came from Terry A years ago, & he in turn purchased them from Charnwood Ordnance when they packed up in around 2000. Unfortunately I can't remember where Charnwood got them from.......

[Garandy]

Sounds good.

How long should the screw be? What head style?

Thanks.

[birdhound]

The screw is identical to the standard pattern. Just run a 2BA tap into the inner band and a 2BA die over the screw threads, as previously stated that is what I do and it works absolutely fine. Really very simple.

[Roger Payne]

You should be able to source an original screw from 'that internet auction site'. There are several UK spares sellers that have these often enough. I'd buy one & run it through a 2BA die as advised above. If no one is listing one currently, then I'd just ask one of the more popular sellers if they can supply.

[Garandy]

I've got an original screw, but I lack a 2BA tap and die. Need to remember where I ordered the British tap I used to repair a No4 T scope bracket from.

[Roger Payne]

Taps and Dies, Reamers Milling Cutters | Tracy Tools Ltd UK

I always use these people. Their prices are reasonable, & they ship quickly. I bought 7 BA taps, die & core diameter drills off them only last week. The parcel arrived 48 hours after I ordered & paid on line. I'm also pretty sure they will ship worldwide.

[Roger Payne]

I've got an original screw, but I lack a 2BA tap and die.

I use Tracy Tools, here in the UK. They are quick, inexpensive, & I'm pretty sure they ship worldwide. I ordered 7BA taps & tapping drills from them last week for a job on a target sight. They arrived within 48 hours of my ordering them on their web site.

[birdhound]

Alternatively there will be plenty of 2BA taps and dies listed on ebay. Might save a bit in shipping costs.