I'd be happy to assist but really don't know much.

by Hoot , Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 06:10 (3478 days ago) @ MR

The No.5 is a short No.4 so all the bits will interchange. There are a couple of parts specific to the No.5 configuration but it looks like they are just lightened versions of the No.4 bits...hollow bolt handles and such. If it were a collector, there's serial number ranges, markings and forgeries aplenty.

I always thought the No.5 was a right handy platform and a near perfect truck gun but somehow have managed to not pick one up.....yet.

Most/some/all(?) of the SMLE's had a 'battle sloppy' chamber and a reputation for being hard on brass. Venturino (SP?) had an article a while back where he investigated and decided that neck sizing only would help brass life. I cannot comment as the first No.4 I bought came with so much ammo that I am still shooting it.

Mr. Meeker once told me that the Brit infantry learned to run the bolt with their index finger and thumb, "slapping" the trigger on the way down with the second finger. The effect convinced the Germans that there were more automatic weapons than they figured and the day was won. I have never managed to replicate that feat.

There is an ATI synthetic stock down in the dungeon that could be had very reasonably if you are interested. It was a take-off from another project.

Currently on the wrong machine for photographic evidence but I can attest, it kills pigs dead.