(edited title) Museum's inventory: MLE Mk I*, Long Lee

bogusiii said:
Would not a Sht. L.E. Mk.I or I* be known as a No.1 Mk.I after they started 'numbering' them post WW1?

The OP's rifle is a Mk.1* which is a war (Boer War) economy version of the Mk.I. It eliminated the hole and threads for the cleaning rod.

Here's a Lee Enfield Carbine dated 1899.

Click to expand...
The Mk1 SMLE never got the No1 designation as it was "omitted from Vocabulary" in the 1926 change of designation when the MkIII SMLE became the No1 MkIII
Nice Carbine.
 
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Is that the only purpose of the open link? To piled rifles like this?!

Impressive!! It was way more a challenge to do it with 1728 French muskets. During that period, it was the bayonets that allowed to piled the muskets. This one seem way to easy!! :p

Martin
 
dauph197 said:
Is that the only purpose of the open link? To piled rifles like this?!

Impressive!! It was way more a challenge to do it with 1728 French muskets. During that period, it was the bayonets that allowed to piled the muskets. This one seem way to easy!! :p

Martin
Click to expand...
Yes thats it sole purpose hence the name Piling swivel, & trust me, its not easy trying to pile arms by yourself :)
 
So here is my new challenge... to become a master piller!! But, first things first, I need three No.1, Mk III. My first restoration is not completed and like things are going, I don't see when I will get a second one!!

Damn Lee disease!!!

Martin
 
shredder said:
So THAT'S how that damned stacking swivel is used!!! I've always wondered how it was done.....
Click to expand...

I think i have done it right, the pile is quite sturdy but i would not attempt this using the cut sling swivels that were avalible a few years back, geuine piling swivels use thicker wire & are slightly turned-in at the ends to help with 'locking' them together.

In-case anyone is interested the rifles are a 1907 BSA, 1915 LSA & a 1916 Lithgow, all true MkIIIs with all the bells & whistles
 
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I would hate to have to extricate my rifle out of a pile like that in a hurry. I could just see 3 guys running in different directions for about 18" until the swivels became hung up, then everyone dropped their rifle. :(
 
I did try piling those rifles together and I would say it is easier to get the rifle from the pile than piling them together. At the beginning, it is not easy but I did it few times in row, and it become very easy at the end. I do a little twist with my right feet to put in balance and done!

So thanks to 5THBATT for the good picture and the information about the piling swivel. Even if it,s a bit off topic of the Long Lee, it was, at least, very instructive!! Would like to try it with the Long Lee but we do not have three of these rifles.

Martin





 
INFANTRY TRAINING 1914

Pile Arms-One
The squad being in two ranks at the order, the rear rank will take a pace forward and turn the barrels of their rifles towards the front rank. The front rank will turn about and place the butts of their rifles between their feet.

Two.
The odd numbers of the front rank will incline the muzzles towards those of the even numbers, barrels downwards slipping the right hand to the nose cap ; the odd will then seize the rifles of the even numbers with the left hand in the same manner and hold up the piling swivels of both rifles with the forefingers and thumbs, crossing the muzzles to bring the swivels together. the even numbers will drop their hand to the side.

Three.
The even numbers of the rear rank, holding their rifles sling upwards at the band (Lee-Enfield and Lee-Metford rifles at the lower band), will incline the muzzles forward, and with the left hand will link swivels through the crossed muzzles of the front rank, raising their butts as high as necessary to do so. the odd numbers of the front rank will now turn the barrels of their rifles towards the even numbers of the rear rank, who will then place the heels of their butts 6 inches to the right of the toe of the right foot so as to make the pile secure.

Four.
The odd numbers of the rear rank will lodge their rifles against the pile, and will the drop their hands to the side.

Stand-Clear
Ranks will step back one pace and turn to the right flank.
 
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