lewis gun wooden grips

[gascheck]

hello gang, as if by magic but how are the wood grips retained ?

[andrewupton]

I tried to post this last night, but got cut off.

Skennertons Small Arms ".303 Lewis Machine Gun" gives the following on pg 17:

"PISTOL GRIP - The wood pieces for the pistol grip were modified to accommodate a new method of attachment in 1921. The side-pieces were to be secured by means of a screw, which passed through both side-pieces and pistol grip. Each side-piece is recessed on its outer face and incorporates a steel bushing. The right side bushing to accommodate the screw head and the left side bushing threaded to accept the matching end of the screw."

Prior to 1921 I believe they were held in place with what appears to be two rivets, as per the diagram on pages 24/25 (label 22A – “Pistol Grip Rivet”)

Hope this is of help!

[gascheck]

Thank you for the reply. rivets maybe, but which came first, the chicken or the egg ?
myself as a stoker, to see how they are fitted they first must come off. just wondered if there was an inquisitive adventurous soul out there who had already done the business. I would assume there is a central web in the grip with a couple of staggered holes to receive a tight fitting peg/fitting of some sorts that is attached to the wood grips themselves. They must be a press fit as there is no access from the outside, viz the screw and threaded bush of the later mod. I also assume that this mod was introduced because the grips came away from the body rather too easily in service. Or was it to cut manufacturing time/cost ?With not having a couple to play about with.....................
TTFN

[tom]

Just had a wade through the LoCs and manuals and the only things I can glean are that the WWI jobs were non removable. The 1914 commercial handbook lists them as seperate parts (Guard side rivets (2) )but the 1915 Provisional and 1918 British ones don't refer to them at all.

LoC 24726 of Sept 1921 has pay dirt! It refers to the holes for the wooden plugs being retaintained in the new manufactured pistol grips so old pattern side pieces can still be used opr something along those lines (its late here OK ;-{D). If anyone wants to put up the LoC I can forward the scan.

ATB

Tom

[gascheck]

thank you for the reply. the muddied water has now become clear. the left and right wooden inserts have drilled "blind" holes.
on assembly, the corresponding wooden plugs are mated. a touch of the old cascamite glue, fit and forget. Until of course, time, vibration,shock, oil contamination take their toll..................

TTFN