I just got a "new" 1941 K. Kale that came packed in more grease than one of Elvis' breakfasts. In the process of stripping it to get the Cosmoline off and out of it, I took out the floorplate, spring and follower. It was a bit stubborn to unlatch and remove, but no real trouble. I can't get it to latch back now.

I've scrubbed dirt and grease out of the grooves at the front and rear of the floorplate and its opening in the trigger guard and don't think there's any left. I can't get the plate to slide forward to latch after I set it in place and press in the detent. I lightly greased the mating surfaces, and have tried (not too vigorously) prying behind it with a screwdriver against the trigger guard to push it forward, as well as inserting a screwdriver blade behind it and twisting. Didn't want to do it too hard for fear of gouging it. Rapping the plate with a mallet is no help.

The floorplate is a mismatch with the trigger guard, but it was latched in place when I got it so it ought to go back.

Is there a trick everybody but me knows about with these things, or some source of trouble I'm overlooking? (I am going back with a toothbrush in those grooves again.) I've got several other old Mausers and never ran into this trouble.

Thanks for any helpful suggestions!

Tap out the retaining pin and remove the button and spring from the magazine housing. Try the floorplate this way and look for signs of the problem.

You may need to do a little judicious filing and stoning to get a proper fit instead of the forced fit that you have. I have had to stone several of mine to get a fit I liked. Usually the "hook" on the front of the floor plate and the edges that mate against the triggerguard need a little work. Makes a huge difference.

Thanks, guys, I'd been studying it and thinking the "hook" on the rear end of the plate might need a tiny bit of opening up and/or beveling on the front to help it engage, and that perhaps the plunger might not be going in far enough to let it hook properly. I need to take that plunger out and try it.

When you take out the retaining pin for the plunger,my guess is you will find the spring is broken or clogged up with grease and crud. A new spring or simply cleaning should get things working properly. If the spring is clogged up,after you clean it, don't forget to clean out the hole it goes into with some solvent and a Q-tip or small brush.

Actually, the thing didn't work any better with the plunger out. The front hook can slide in easily, and without the rear one pushed down it can slide up into position. The rear hook's encountering interference. It's thoroughly clean. I filed on it a bit but haven't yet solved the problem. I guess I'm going to have to do some coating with something that'll rube off on contact to see what's interfering. I think the gap between the hook and the plate's narrower than the lip of the floorplate it has to slide over. (Possibly bent a bit from hammering on the plate?)

Well, it took lots of filing on the rear floorplate "hook" and its base, but it's latched properly in place now. I can't imagine how the Turks forced it to close the way it was without scarring something up badly.

Thanks, y'all!

Got the cleaning rod mostly straight and resoldered the tip.

Now to make a sling for it...