1916 Ishapore Lee Enfield

[Junk Yard Dog]

That looks like pitting to me, but the part is in front of you, not me, there is only so much I can tell from a picture. When there is any question of safety then hang the rifle up as a wallhanger and do not shoot it. Magnafluxing will tell you for sure if the part is cracked, a machine shop should be able to do this for you, I would recommend it in this case.

[Sgt. Rob]

That is one great looking 1916 RFI MkIII! I agree about swapping the bolt if your gonna shoot, be sure there are no "cracks" like that in the action as well, if there are, I would put everything back and just display her.

Semper Fi, Rob

[Longcolt44]

A lot of these older Enfields have chamber issues. This was due to the cordite powder that was being used at that time.

[bunkysdad]

I wonder if they make the bolts on Khyber Pass made firearms of if they reuse old bolts? I could believe them having cracks easier than a British built bolt.

[breckenridge]

I've been doing further research, and on these rifles the two helical locking lugs need to be honed to match the recesses in the receiver individually. Likely that the mismatched 'original' bolt didn't have this done, and could have contributed to what appear to be cracks or stress lines that have pitted. I found a few that have given way in that area, though not catastrophically. Regardless, I don't think its worth much more of my time to have the receiver checked and the new bolt correctly matched, so I think its best served as a wall hanger. I'll have to continue the search for a nice Lee Enfield shooter, which isn't a bad thing