Bearcat74: Thanks for the clarification sir, I was just making sure we weren't talking about a P14/P17 Enfield is all.
So here's a video of how the bolt comes apart on a SMLE.
If the bolt head is a turn out or too loose, the bolt won't close.
Without having one in front of me and going from a bit of a foggy memory, I'm thinking it shouldn't be the safety restricting the forward movement - but in case it is try to move the safety all the way to the front or off position.
Here's a video of how the bolt should come out on that vintage of SMLE.
Anyway if the bolt head is fully screwed in as it should be, with the bolt out you might be able to see if the ejector on the left inside of the action is blocking the bolt from going all the way forward.
That "should" be a good start to see why the bolt won't close and hopefully was clear enough to be useful.
Good luck with the rifle whichever way you decide sir and all the best to you in the upcoming week.
