Pic of Great Grandfather with Long Lee around 1908.

Guy JR

Guy JR

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
120   0   0
Location
sw ont
Here is a pic of my Greay Grandfather from around 1908 with what I think is a Long Lee. He is the one with my Grandmothers wrighting on his head. I dont know much about his rifle or uniform so any info from our experts would be great. We think this pic was taken in London Ontario.
OldHuntingPictures0005.jpg
 
interesting

I find it odd that the bayonets were carried on the left side of the belt, I always thought the normal location was on the right side and much further back.

thanks for sharing the pic
 
Goes back to 17th to 18th Century period, Ammo Box was carried on right side for loading purposes and sword and bayonet on left side.
 
Martini-Henry and Snider bayonets also carried on the left side. Bayonets fixed with the rifle held between the legs, right hand near muzzle. Have done the drill.
 
Same basic drill with the C1, for that matter; have no idea about what they do with that overweight gopher-gun they are using now.

Bayonets in photo are Pattern 1888, second model: 2 rivets in gripscales rather than the original 3. This is a lovely piece of equipment, in my opinion the nicest bayonet ever made. It works just fine on Lee-Metford Marks I, I*, II, Lee-Enfield Mark I and I*. Lots of them ended up being made into Pattern 1903s and used on various SMLEs: Pattern 1903 fits all the way up to Mark V.

Too bad we can`t see if these rifles have safeties; thet would end a lot of speculation for sure!

Nice photo. Thanks for sharing.
.
 
Looks like Magazine Lee Enfields MkI. The rod channel is visible in the LE on top left. Could be a MLM MkII but not many were issued in Canada.
 
"I thought the Brits wouldn't give us Lee Enfields and that was why we developed and issued the Ross Rifle family?? "

Some were purchased commercially by the Canadian Government and were not from British store, the others were issued during the Boer War to the Canadian Expeditionnary force. We set-up the Ross factory, because the British would not set-up a production facility for the SMLE rifles in Canada.
 
Last edited:
David Edgecombe in his book Defending the Dominion (great book; highly recommend it) explains that Canadians were actually the first military force to get the MLE, ahead of British troops. As a result, Canadian MLEs come with low serial numbers from all of the manufacturers who supplied them. My 1896 Mk I, for example, is the 1336th Long Lee ever produced at the Enfield factory.

cantom said:
I thought the Brits wouldn't give us Lee Enfields and that was why we developed and issued the Ross Rifle family??
Click to expand...
 
smellie said:
Same basic drill with the C1, for that matter; have no idea about what they do with that overweight gopher-gun they are using now.
Click to expand...

Its personal preference now. The tac vest is designed to hold the bayonet in the middle chest region handle up or handle down. Lots of soldiers attach them handle facing forward on the left or right canteen pouch (depending on if you're left or right handed and where you attach your canteen pouch).
 
RangeRover said:
David Edgecombe in his book Defending the Dominion (great book; highly recommend it) explains that Canadians were actually the first military force to get the MLE, ahead of British troops. As a result, Canadian MLEs come with low serial numbers from all of the manufacturers who supplied them. My 1896 Mk I, for example, is the 1336th Long Lee ever produced at the Enfield factory.
Click to expand...

40,000 Lee Enfield Rifles were ordered in Feb 1896, according to the above mentioned source
 
Woodchopper, I am NOT that old, but I once was a member of a reenactment group. 92nd foot (Gordons) (still have the skirt, and that cute little purse you hang on a chain in front);) Had to give it up, as while I can still do front rank kneeling, getting back up is another matter.
 
smellie said:
Same basic drill with the C1, for that matter; have no idea about what they do with that overweight gopher-gun they are using now.


.
Click to expand...

For actual combat the bayonet attachment point is on the front of the tac vest but seeing as the vest was not designed by anyone who has to actually use it or carry any kit and who thinks 5 mags is good enough, it is a poor spot to say the least, getting caught on pretty much everything and getting pulled off. Common sense then took over and the bayonet is secured to the left or right side, depending on if the riflemen is left or right handed....and if the unit allows I guess.

For parade square drill, the CF way is to still put the rifle between your legs from the order arms position and place on the bayonet.

Some units like the PPCLI have a regimental fix which has the solider place the bayonet on the rilfe from the shoulder arms position.....with practice as you can't see what you are doing.
 
Bayonets for dress are currently worn handle up, above the left cheek. The last time we fixed bayonets it was done with arms ordered. The command order went something like this:
"parade will fix bayonets."
"Fix" <hand moves to bayonet on left rear side and removes by gripping and pushing down firmly. Blade is then in upward position in front of scabbard.>
"Bayonets" <head is lowered so that soldier may see what he is doing. Rifle comes forward to the at-ease position and bayonet is attached. Once attached the open hand rests along the left side of the bayonet.>
"Attention" <return to position of attention>

Am 99% sure that's how it went, was a little while ago now...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom