Bolt corrosion-dangerous?

[Gun-nut]

Just picked up this Enfield that has quite significant corrosion along the underside of the bolt, and worryingly around the bolt lug. I didn’t realise this upon my first inspection and it wasn’t pointed out to me. Even worse is it appears the bolt has been sanded or polished among the corroded areas and the bolt lug. I’ll post images below, am I being overly dramatic or wouldn’t this deem the rifle dangerous to fire?

Considering I purchased it from a dealer don’t I also have 30 days to return said rifle?

[Gun-nut]

Some more angles

[Gun-nut]

Bolt face

[Gun-nut]

Bolt body

[Gun-nut]

Bolt lug, hopefully this better captures what I’m trying to convey. Might take more photos tomorrow during the day.

[straightshooter]

If there is no pitting around the base of the lugs where they join the bolt body, especially at the rear, then there is little to be concerned about other than cosmetics.

[No1Mk3]

Surface rust, I have worse on some of my rifles

[Diamond Jim]

I would guess the critical areas are the back of the locking lug and the bolt face. These two will impact on headspacing. Most gun shops should have a Go/No Go gauge to tell you if headspace is within spec.

[Diamond Jim]

I would guess the critical areas are the back of the locking lug and the bolt face. These two will impact on headspacing. Most gun shops should have a Go/No Go gauge to tell you if headspace is within spec.

[Oldbloke]

I would guess the critical areas are the back of the locking lug and the bolt face. These two will impact on headspacing. Most gun shops should have a Go/No Go gauge to tell you if headspace is within spec.

Agree.

[snag]

Seen worse than that and were perfectly functional. As said by others, get a headspace check as matter of course.

[bladeracer]

I would guess the critical areas are the back of the locking lug and the bolt face. These two will impact on headspacing. Most gun shops should have a Go/No Go gauge to tell you if headspace is within spec.

Most?
I doubt many gun shops keep .303 gauges on hand.
Headspace doesn't matter if you load your own ammo, size it to fit the chamber, whatever length it is.

[Diamond Jim]

I would guess the critical areas are the back of the locking lug and the bolt face. These two will impact on headspacing. Most gun shops should have a Go/No Go gauge to tell you if headspace is within spec.

Most?
I doubt many gun shops keep .303 gauges on hand.
Headspace doesn't matter if you load your own ammo, size it to fit the chamber, whatever length it is.

Not picking a fight but I thought SMLEs headspace on the case rim. I don't know how to alter the case rim in my reloading setup. If shops are selling SMLEs then they should be checking headspace as part of the "Serviceability certificate" - well that should be the case here in the PRWA. More enlightened States may have different regimes but if I bought a rifle from a shop in WA and it had headspace issues after they had declared it "serviceable" then it would be going back as unfit for purpose. Go/No-Go gauges are less than $60 each online and would be deductible for a gun shop so maybe $40 each? Cheap insurance.

[dnedative]

Headspace checks in SMLE' are overrated, something Americans get all fixated on. You will never have headspace issues, the only issues you will get will be poor brass lifespan but that has more to do with SAAMI dies and chambers cut for rifles headed to war that needed to be reliable with any old ammunition one might have in a stinking hot jungle or sandy desert. Regardless, about the worst thing that will happen will be a case head separation which most people only figure out has occurred when the next round jams in the chamber, if your at a range normally someone has a case extractor from a bren gun tool kit Rimmed cases are safe as houses.

You dont need to buy gauges, if you have an empty case, coke can to cut up and some verniers you can make your own in a few minutes.
British field gauge is .074, if it doesn't close on that dont worry.
Plenty of people shoot martini's with a lot looser than that and they dont blow up either