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

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dauph197

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Hi Guys,

I'm back to the job... well... I can't call it a job, it is just too nice to be called like this.

So, what I have found this morning going through the collection is that Long Lee. I would like to know the full designation for this rifle. Is this Lee Enfield No. 1, Mk I ''Long Lee''? I think it is in full length but not original as the barrel serial number does not fit with the one stamped on the receiver. As you can see on the butt plate tang, the rifle was issue to the 2 CMR. I try to figure out which CMR it is. St-jean in QC or Kingston ON or any other CMR available at this time.

If you have any more info, please, feel free to share.

Good day,

Martin



























 
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2 CMR would more likely be 2nd Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles they were issued the Long Lees for the Boer War or possibly the Canadian Mounted Rifles of the Militia.
 
Ah... again... poor knowledge of my second language!! Where I was going with CMR ? CMR is the French acronym for Collège Militaire Royal. In my poor little head, I was reading RMC.

Mr. buffdog, you are the man. I'm pretty sure you are right about the Regiment. And also Ballsofice154.

Here a picture of the Regiment with a Long Lee.



Thanks for the answer.
 
Two other minor details, missing pilling swivel (stacking hook) and it has the wrong magazine also.
 
Any idea where this small magazine comes from? It can take 5 rounds. Never seen that before but it fit perfectly. This small magazine was made for Lee Enfield rifle for sure...

What is the pilling swivel or stacking hook?

Thanks.

Martin
 
Small magazine is for the Carbine. Early Lee Metford and Lee Enfield rifles used eight and later ten round magazines

The piling swivel or stacking hook looks like a sling swivel except it has a gap in the center of the bottom and not closed in like a sling swivel. It attaches to the front barrel band and allows three rifles to be "hooked" together in a "tripod" when in an encampment.

I figured that was where you were going with the "CMR".;)
 
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Oh well... now I'm lost! Made for carbine... which one? The No. 5 Jungle?

I just realize that I'm unable to make difference between rifle, carbine and all the other words that describe a firearms. That's why I'm still a beginner...

Martin
 
It's known as a MLE Mk1* (Magazine Lee Enfield Mk1*) AKA LongLee, LongTom & also incorrectly a No1 Mk1 which is also a common & incorrect name some give to the Mk1 SMLE but there is no rifle in the Lee Enfield family that has the designation No1 Mk1.
The Magazine does appear to be an early Carbine mag which are quite rare to find & expensive to purchase if you are looking for one for your own Carbine, they can reach more than NZ$200 at auction here in NZ.
Sorry cant help with the markings on the butt.
 
I believe the rifle also has a carbine trigger guard. The loop for the magazine retaining link (terminology?) Is crossways on the carbine and inline with the barrel and to one side on the rifle.
 
The order to "Pile Arms"...
images
...No1Mk111's though;)
images
...I think this is a Long Lee...
 
Martin

Very nice looking.

Beautiful!

Always fascinated with the life of a rifle.

Barrel swap question.

Does anyone have an idea of what era that would have been done and where, England, Canada?

Does the bolt have matching numbers?

I have a MLE Mk1 that I think was unissued from stores.

It only has M&D stamped on the butt.

CMR's made a name for themselves in South Africa.

My Great Grandfather served in the Coldstream Guards (England), Boer War.
Back row, farthest right.
CStreamers.jpg



His son, my Great Uncle served in the 4th CMR's Canada in WWI.
 
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The "M & D" marking was used by Canada.

"Barrel swap question?" This is a 1901 made rifle. It appears to have the original barrel on it but the rifle was sold as surplus later on, probably after WWI. It was then proofed and sold to the public by the Gun Dealer that bought it from the Military.

Some of the earlier Lee Metfords were upgraded with Enfield rifled barrels. These usually have a large "E" stamped on the Knox form.

In the early 1920's a review of Small Arms was done by the Military. Obsolete and Obsolescent firearms were then sold to the "Trade", that is, the Gun Dealers, Gunsmiths, and Firearms makers who then sold them to the Public either as sporterized rifles or in original shape. These rifles had to be proof tested, and marked accordingly.
 
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cigar_man, that is a question I can't answer yet as I do not have access to the bolts for the moment. The Citadelle's Museum is on an active military base, so we have safety rules to follow and bolts are separated from the rifles. As soon as I terminate the rifles inventory, I'll switch on the bolts and will be able to answer you, as long as I reminder this thread?! This is another question. ;-)

Guys, the pictures you sent are so nice. I have to admit my total ignorance about the Boer War. This is a weakness I will have to redress.

Martin
 
Buffdog, thanks for the answers.

I knew about the M&D but was curious if dauph197's rifle was re-arsenaled as the barrel has a different serial#

My rifle is a 1896 LSA MLE Mk1 with cleaning rod and no additional proofs to be sold off.

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5THBATT said:
It's known as a MLE Mk1* (Magazine Lee Enfield Mk1*) AKA LongLee, LongTom & also incorrectly a No1 Mk1 which is also a common & incorrect name some give to the Mk1 SMLE but there is no rifle in the Lee Enfield family that has the designation No1 Mk1.
The Magazine does appear to be an early Carbine mag which are quite rare to find & expensive to purchase if you are looking for one for your own Carbine, they can reach more than NZ$200 at auction here in NZ.
Sorry cant help with the markings on the butt.
Click to expand...

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.

 
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