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FRA1212
Guest
Receiver characteristic question
Hello everyone, I am a new member but have visited this forum frequently for awhile now and I am impressed at the extensive expertise- it makes for interesting reading and research.
My question is what is the purpose of the two small holes (drilled stacked figure 8 style) on the safety side of the forward receiver just behind the chamber. In searching the internet I see the same holes on about every image of No 1 Mk III and 2A1s that come up but I have not found anything that addresses their pupose.
Thanks and I look forward to continued use of the forum.
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01-12-2013 12:10 AM
# ADS
Friends and Sponsors
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Advisory Panel
Gas escape hole in case of a failed cartridge case is my understanding.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Edward Bernays, 1928
Much changes, much remains the same.
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Thank You to Surpmil For This Useful Post:
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As above. Gas escape in case of ruptured cartridge/separated case
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Advisory Panel
Why you don't hear about these holes today is the reason that ammunition has improved to the point that you seldom get a brass failure anymore (reloads excepted). The brass material used in today's cases is more consistent in formulation than previous military brass material and the loading of powder become more consistent. If headspace is really off, you might get a case rupture and material vented through the holes. In the old days, weapon design did not allow for case ruptures and often brass particles and flame blew back into the shooter's face.
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Legacy Member
Also we confine ammunition procurement to regular makers of the product, whether private or GOCO plants, even in the present war we don't need to rope other people in.
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Thank You to Mk VII For This Useful Post:
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That gas escape hole dates back to the original Lee which was designed in the 1870s:
At the time, cartridge heads weren't solid, but folded to form the rims. Ruptures were quite common!
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The Following 5 Members Say Thank You to jmoore For This Useful Post:
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FRA1212
Guest
Thank You
all for responding. Interesting and makes sense.
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Legacy Member
At least you didn't think bubba had been drilling random holes and filled them with weld.
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FRA1212
Guest
On seeing them that was my first fear- or that it was some form of de-mil process, but after a little work with a pipe cleaner I noticed that the rifles surface finish extended to the inside of the holes. That sparked a move to the computer to look at images and eventually this post when it was apparent the holes are a deliberate design feature.
Like anything else, "brain work before leg work."
As a side note, is there anything significant to the different serial number prefixes? The 2A1 in question has an L prefix, I have also seen AA, E and others.
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