Help with Long lee rescue
- Thread starter JTF#
- Start date
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
the last photo
is that a big letter E on the top of the barrel knox?
E as in Enfield rifling
is that a big letter E on the top of the barrel knox?
E as in Enfield rifling
The manufacturer is BSA, barrel was made in 1896.
By the low serial number, is likely ex-Canadian service, one of the batch purchased in that same year.
By the low serial number, is likely ex-Canadian service, one of the batch purchased in that same year.
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Barrel has BSA factory inspector stamps (the script B). The underside of the reinforce has 96 (the date) marked beside the final Chief Inspector mark (larger crown and 1)
The rifles that were purchased in 1896 came from early production. In fact, the first rifles shipped to equip an overseas army was to Canada. Which meant that for a short time, Canadians had more advanced arms than the Brit Army, as they still were using the Lee Metford.
There is a good book, "Defending the Dominion" by David Edgecombe that details serial numbers and contracts.
The X mark produced with a hacksaw blade I have seen before and is is typical to rifles taken out of service from the Royal Military College. Not a conclusive marking as anybody could have done it, but it looks the same and is in the same location as that of the marking on a bonafide RMC marked unit. It fits with the Canadian connection.
What other pieces did you get with the action? Buttstock?
The rifles that were purchased in 1896 came from early production. In fact, the first rifles shipped to equip an overseas army was to Canada. Which meant that for a short time, Canadians had more advanced arms than the Brit Army, as they still were using the Lee Metford.
There is a good book, "Defending the Dominion" by David Edgecombe that details serial numbers and contracts.
The X mark produced with a hacksaw blade I have seen before and is is typical to rifles taken out of service from the Royal Military College. Not a conclusive marking as anybody could have done it, but it looks the same and is in the same location as that of the marking on a bonafide RMC marked unit. It fits with the Canadian connection.
What other pieces did you get with the action? Buttstock?
only the bolt barrel/receiver and trigger guard area were original. some one fitted it for a hunting stock. when ever I see these long lees I just have to rescue them. no matter what condition they are in there is still history to them. I have seen that book before. I will for sure pic it up.
I am sure what ever markings on it are real because who ever modified it to a hunting rifle I am sure wouldn't have made that marking on it since he already took the value out of it.
but that marking is just an out of service marking? not a 'not safe to shoot marking?'
I am sure what ever markings on it are real because who ever modified it to a hunting rifle I am sure wouldn't have made that marking on it since he already took the value out of it.
but that marking is just an out of service marking? not a 'not safe to shoot marking?'
The one rifle that I had with the same mark is mechanically sound and had a bright shiny bore. So I don't think it is a condeming mark, but rather some form of unofficial disposal marking.
I have come across it three times now, all looking the same and in that same location, all on ex Canadian long Lee service rifles.
I did read comments on it in a forum long ago, their thought then was RMC.
I have come across it three times now, all looking the same and in that same location, all on ex Canadian long Lee service rifles.
I did read comments on it in a forum long ago, their thought then was RMC.
So did someone cut the butt socket off to modify and mount it into a one piece stock set? Or did someone just get happy with a hacksaw?
