Main stop cock kitchen

Hi peeps, I seem to have two stop cocks on the cold water main coming into kitchen by the sink. One is above the other and, from what I can tell, the lower one is older and kept open all the time with the upper being used to turn the water on/off as need be. The lower one is connected to the main pipe coming up thru the floor (lead or iron I’m not sure - old house).
My problem is that the handle on the lower stopcock is just slightly in the way of something I’m trying to fit under the worktop and I’m wondering if the handle can be removed without risking a leak. I am a bit reluctant to loosen the connecting nuts to turn the stopcock around a bit as the joints look really old and I don’t want to open up a can of worms.
I attach a photo to give you some idea of what I’m trying to explain.
Thanks, Keith

Unfortunately the handle isn't removable on these without cutting it off, I'm afraid. Some of the newer types have a phillips screw holding the Tee on, but that one doesn't.
As you so rightly say, disturb it not!
John

Thanks John for your reply. I trying to work round it - all a bit of a pain but, as you say, it’d be a disproportionate amount of time, effort and money to get a plumber for such a small adjustment. I’ll find another way. Keith

are you sure there is no outdoor stopcock? either under the pavement or next to where the front gate used to be? Quite likely hidden by some idiot putting plants or paving on it.

Water meters also have an integral stopcock, should have a "T" handle.

You can take apart old stopcocks fairly easily by unscrewing the bits that look like nuts. Easy if it is in a vice, but when in situ, you might twist and damage the pipes, especially if lead. Often you can repair the internals with a new washer, some silicone grease, and PTFE tape on the spindle before you tighten the gland. The internal mechanism is pretty simple.

Iron pipes are pretty sturdy.

Cut the handle off at the spindle, but leave as much length of spindle as possible so that someone could (perhaps?) get some stilsons on it if they ever had to.