1895 Mk.I Lee Metford Cavalry Carbine - Pics added of rear sight
- Thread starter NL-Hunter
- Start date
The production cavalry carbine had a sight leaf graduated to 2,000 yards. I see that this one was hand inscribed to 1,900 yards.
The sight bed looks to be regular cav carbine. The ramps are not very high and regulated to work with the unique carbine leaf cap, which was quite low.
The modified leaf cap shown on the subject rifle, modifications aside, appears to be taller than that of a carbine, and by proportions, looks to be a leaf cap the height of that of a rifle. The slider looks to be a modified rifle slider too, it is a touch taller than that of a carbine.
So I think that I would be safe to say that at the trials/calibration at the range, the original carbine leaf was removed and testing was done by modifying and calibrating a rifle leaf.
This makes sense to me. If the front sight was now a taller beaded insert as (it appears to be), the rear sight would have to be taller to match and keep things level. Hence the use of a rifle leaf cap.
The wide shallow V cut into the cap and slider are similar in appearance to that on the cap of a Mk.I Martini Henry infantry rifle. The wide shallow V notch wasn't a terrible success for the Martini, it was dropped after only a year and a regular small V notch was introduced. But for some reason here, they wanted to try it out again.
The sight bed looks to be regular cav carbine. The ramps are not very high and regulated to work with the unique carbine leaf cap, which was quite low.
The modified leaf cap shown on the subject rifle, modifications aside, appears to be taller than that of a carbine, and by proportions, looks to be a leaf cap the height of that of a rifle. The slider looks to be a modified rifle slider too, it is a touch taller than that of a carbine.
So I think that I would be safe to say that at the trials/calibration at the range, the original carbine leaf was removed and testing was done by modifying and calibrating a rifle leaf.
This makes sense to me. If the front sight was now a taller beaded insert as (it appears to be), the rear sight would have to be taller to match and keep things level. Hence the use of a rifle leaf cap.
The wide shallow V cut into the cap and slider are similar in appearance to that on the cap of a Mk.I Martini Henry infantry rifle. The wide shallow V notch wasn't a terrible success for the Martini, it was dropped after only a year and a regular small V notch was introduced. But for some reason here, they wanted to try it out again.
Thank you e_ca, your information about this rifle is greatly appreciated. Most LE rifles here are mk 3 and 4. Was baffeled when I first got my hands on it. When searching i noticed it was a bit unusual. Now I know what it is. Will try to source the firing pin screw. From posts here I guess the real world value is from 1000 to 1500.
Yes, that is ballpark value. As some pointed out, theses are listed sometimes $2000-3000. Don't know how many actually sell at that price.
I recently sold a few duplicates, some restored, some original. I didn't get anywhere near that price to make a sale.
You have an interesting carbine that can be put at a certain time and place. Should add historical interest value, however, somebody looking for a complete and original representative example would have to think about buying this one. More of an advanced collector interest.
Value is difficult guessing what somebody else would pay.
I find it interesting that you say that most of the rifles that you find are No.1 or No.4. I have found most of my carbine projects, including the two trials carbines, in Newfoundland.
I recently sold a few duplicates, some restored, some original. I didn't get anywhere near that price to make a sale.
You have an interesting carbine that can be put at a certain time and place. Should add historical interest value, however, somebody looking for a complete and original representative example would have to think about buying this one. More of an advanced collector interest.
Value is difficult guessing what somebody else would pay.
I find it interesting that you say that most of the rifles that you find are No.1 or No.4. I have found most of my carbine projects, including the two trials carbines, in Newfoundland.
Most I have seen are WW1 and WW2. Should rephrase. Mark III and No4 Mark 1.
This is the first one like this I have put my hands on.
