Help please - identification of this sporterized LE

hammering hank

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I've had several 303s but never pay them much attention nor know much about these rifles. Non the less this one is a wee bit different then any I've had and am curious to what it is, I'll let the pics talk. Its sporterized, barrel length is 20" with the last 4" being rusty, peep site mounting is crude looking but solid (bubba?), numbers all matching.
 
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I believe that is a Lee Enfield Carbine Mk. 1, which was approved in 1896 and later upgraded to the Mk.1* in 1899 - at least initially, for cavalry use. I think I see "96" just to the right of the lower drilled hole on the wrist, which would have been 1896 - the year of manufacture. This was actually based on the Lee-Metford, so you might find the rifling is different than later Lee Enfields (?). The two drilled and tapped holes on the left side of the receiver wrist appear to allow fitting of the Parker Hale target sight - perhaps a PH 13, but more commonly the PH 5A.
 
Original barrel was 20-1/4 inches bolt face to muzzle.

The serial number identifies it as ex-Canadian service, being one of the the batch of 2300 bought by the Canadian Govt in 1896.

Sportered they make a greatest little deer rifle.
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Show us an overall view if would, lets see it.


I restored one of the same batch, a few hundred serial numbers away from yours.
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They are great fun and point so well. They come up to the shoulder and balance like a BB gun.


How bad is the rust in the barrel?

That back sight on yours is quite ingenious.
 

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Nice old sporter!

Yup, you have an uncut barrel and the front sight ramp, although the blade is modified, is the original ramp too.
Your carbine isn't that too far gone to bring back.

I see somebody got creative with the woodwork. But that is how it was back then when these were dirt cheap surplus and some people didn't have a lot of money, but they had time to hand work stuff.

All the important expensive bits that go missing are already there for the restoration (bolt, mag, trigger guard). All you need is a full set of wood, with nose cap, barrel band and retainer. A rear sight, bolt dust cover, a bit of plug welding and lots of TLC. Sounds easy, eh?

Might be worth considering as it is all number matching. Parts can be replaced, but those drilled holes hurt it.

Or,

Leave it as a dandy little deer/Moose/bear gun and enjoy as it is..

For a good restore, the receiver could be changed, but that would be defeating the point of having all matching numbers. I don't know just what I would do. I would probably just remount a target sight and make pretty.
 
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This is one of my favourite little deer guns. It is a sportered 1899 (also ex-Canadian service) cavalry carbine.
Uncut barrel, modified original woodwork.

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It has my home made rear aperture sight that mounts solidly to the receiver. It presents the aperture in approx the same position as yours. the front sight ramp is higher with a bead insert fitted.
 

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Interesting thanks for sharing.
I'm interested to see how much furniture would be and availability? And yes those holes suck.... I've got someone to fill them but I'm not sure if I really want to. Its growing on me this one is.
 
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