[Spits] Spitfire gear shift lever

[Roger Elliott]

Hi All,

On Spitfires (at least later ones)  the shift lever has a section in the 
middle kind of like a tube that the end pieces go into.

Any idea of what that section is for?  Does it provide some kind of 
insulation from heat or vibration?

I bought a spare one that I want to try to cut down to make a shorter 
lever.  And I am trying to figure out what my options are.

Thanks,
Roger Elliott