Milsurp After Hours

Trivial question, but if a 2A/2A1, L8, L39, L42 or Enforcer needs a new bolt-head in England and the new bolt-head that fits isn't marked 19T, does the rifle need to be re proofed?

Regards, Brad

Under the Proof law, any change in the pressure-bearing parts (barrel, receiver, bolt, bolthead) requires a visit to the proof house. Once the rifle has passed proof, the proof house has to stamp each of the parts individually - so 4 proof marks to make an Enfield valid.

BTW, the "19T" mark is not the actual proof mark - only the "crown over BNP" or "London squiggle" are valid marks on a relatively modern rifle. The "19T" was applied to boltheads of Enfield 7.62mm when they were proofed after manufacture in the 1970s/80s. This mark is no longer applied to bolts or boltheads; instead, the proof houses place its successor - the "20T" mark - on the barrel. This just shows the level of proof applied.

Contrary to some of the stories on the Internet forums, in UK there is no special procedure for selecting boltheads for 7.62mm rifles - any standard .303 component will work fine, as there is no history of any having failed 7.62mm proof.

Thanks, Brewstop.

Regards, Brad