1895 Lee Enfield Cavalry Carbine - Could use some info

TehGunky

TehGunky

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A customer brought this little guy in with some questions. I know a bit about SMLEs and No. 4's but not much about the older or more rare stuff.

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Complete gallery with commentary here: https://imgur.com/gallery/eFXTFu5

I don't imagine much can be done about a 125-year-old shot-out carbine barrel. Rifling is fairly clear with minor pitting along most of its length, but the last few inches seem to be worn mostly smooth. Accuracy is not great, and the customer says the bullets are keyholing past 30 or so yards. This is a well-used gun, and the customer has used it for moose-hunting (probably in Newfoundland, where his family is from). It's seen some years of hard use and probably limited maintenance.

I do not know if it is all-numbers-matching. Everything appears original, nothing looks noticeably newer than the rest. A lot of the markings are very faint and/or obscured due to the deep patina. My photography didn't do them any favors either, but I can possibly arrange for clearer photos if needed. I don't have many photos of the proof marks, etc. It has opposed broad arrow stamping on the receiver, which indicates that it was sold out of service. I didn't see anything in that marked it as Canadian issue.

I can ballpark a value of a SMLE or No.4 Mk 1 in this condition, but I don't have much info on these. Anyone have any insight?
 
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Quick question, could be Lee Merford - so barrel wirh metford rifling, for black powder ammo - would look shot out, but would be actually normal metford rifling
 
As long as it's factory ammo keyholing, you can tell him reloads will likely bring it back to respectability...accuracy wise. But he'll sacrifice as it won't be full power though
 
Yes, I am not 100% clear on the transition dates so I thought it was possible that it is a Metford barrel rather than an Enfield. The owner said he had cleaned it several times recently. The rifling from the chamber forward is fairly clear and still relatively crisp, but it fades out at the muzzle end - is this normal for Metfords? I was under the impression that it would be consistently shallow along the whole length of the bore.
 
Based on the year of production and the sling bar in the butt, I would say it is likely a Lee Metford MARK 1 Cavalry Carbine. Please show us a close up pic of the left side of the butt socket. There would have been a saddle ring on that side when built, but most were removed while in service.
 
B_noser said:
Based on the year of production and the sling bar in the butt, I would say it is likely a Lee Metford MARK 1 Cavalry Carbine. Please show us a close up pic of the left side of the butt socket. There would have been a saddle ring on that side when built, but most were removed while in service.
Click to expand...

I'll see if I can get a shot of that.
 
TehGunky said:
Do you mean the part of the receiver where the factory stamp is located?
Click to expand...

Yes, it is the left side of the the receiver socket for the butt and above the trigger. The model designation should be marked high on that side of the socket. The hole would have been under the boss for the saddle ring when the rifle was built.
 
I'll be getting more detailed photos on Sunday. Thanks for the input so far, everyone.

For the record - this appears to have fairly clear Enfield rifling along most of its length. It does not have the polygonal look of Metford rifling, the grooves are sharp and distinct (though somewhat pitted) up until the last couple of inches at the muzzle end. I will try to get better photos on the weekend that can show this more clearly.

The markings on the socket are quite worn, so it is difficult to get a clear photo of them. I'll try some tricks with the lighting and fancy photo editing when I get more pics this weekend.
 
You can see the remnant of the hole for the D ring on the left side.
Those were removed in 1896.
So we know it started it's life as a Lee-Metford carbine.
We can also see a hole in the nose cap for the clearing rod… another sign of a Metford carbine.
There are 2 holes (one on each side) below the rear sight… that was for the screws holding the leather sight protector in place, again that was done in 1896.
It is possible the barrel was changed to one with Enfield rifling's … check to see if the serial numbers match on both the receiver and barrel, it MIGHT help to ID it
There are some VERY knowledgeable fellows on those carbines, on here. They will pop in and help out soon enough.
I can't say for sure about value but a Lee-Metford Carbine in original condition is VERY rare and valuable.
 
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