Identify this Lee Enfield please.

CyaN1de

CyaN1de

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I am buying this off a friend and we need to know what Model it is. I believe it is a No1 MkIII but I figured the experts here would know best.

I don't want to sell it but can anyone put an approximate $$ value on this one as well?

Thanks In Advance

Richard

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It looks like a No.1 Mk.III to me too, but look closely at the right side of the receiver where it meets the barrel. It looks like it has "For Cordite Only" stamped in the metal.

I'm not an expert, but I've never seen that before on an Enfield. Perhaps it is a No.1 Mk. I or II.

What does it say on the receiver metal between the bolthead and the buttstock?

Maybe somebody else can help you more.
 
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Yes it does say "For Cordite Only"

On the Left side of the trigger on the metal band where the model is usually marked is says "Lee Speed Patents, B.S.A. Co"
The bolt has a "v" closest to the bolt head an "r" halfway down and a "5" near the bolt handle on the top of it if that means anything.

The reason I need to know is because we are trying to transfer it to my name and the CFC needs the model. Shouldn't they already have this information from when it registered previously?
 
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At a glance, it looks like an original sporting rifle, but the forend is cut for handguard retaining clips. The Lee Speed Patents, BSA suggests a commercial rifle. Does it have a safety? How many grooves in the rifling? The bolt and barrel breech configuation configuration are Long Lee style. The buttstock is in the early sporting style, and could not have been a military butt, unless wood has been added in the grip area.
 
OK, the bolt threw us. The rifle was made up that way purposely.

Usually they are made up from carbines and have dust covers, as well as turned down bolt handles.

Claven or Cantom could probably give you a lot more information.

Most of the Lee Speed rifles that I have seen were Mark I carbines and were offered through the "Army and Navy Society" to British officers, who had to buy their own weapons at that time. The dust covers were usually engraved "Army and Navy Society". They also were provided with magazine cut off devices and had 5 round magazines.

Very sparse info and maybe not accurate, but someplace to start.

bearhunter
 
tiriaq said:
At a glance, it looks like an original sporting rifle, but the forend is cut for handguard retaining clips. The Lee Speed Patents, BSA suggests a commercial rifle. Does it have a safety? How many grooves in the rifling? The bolt and barrel breech configuation configuration are Long Lee style. The buttstock is in the early sporting style, and could not have been a military butt, unless wood has been added in the grip area.
Click to expand...

I believe it is 5 or 6 groove? More than 2 for sure.
No Safety but does have the hole where it would have been attached.
It does not appear that any wood has been added in the grip area (I assume this is where the plastic cap is under the grip)

bearhunter said:
OK, the bolt threw us. The rifle was made up that way purposely.

Usually they are made up from carbines and have dust covers, as well as turned down bolt handles.

Claven or Cantom could probably give you a lot more information.

Most of the Lee Speed rifles that I have seen were Mark I carbines and were offered through the "Army and Navy Society" to British officers, who had to buy their own weapons at that time. The dust covers were usually engraved "Army and Navy Society". They also were provided with magazine cut off devices and had 5 round magazines.

Very sparse info and maybe not accurate, but someplace to start.

bearhunter
Click to expand...

A carbine would have a relatively short barrel? This one 26" from bolt face to crown (as per CFC barrel measuring instructions)
Magazine is a 10 round.

The barrel also has engraved on top "T Stensby & Co Manchester"
 
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The rifle is built on the Long Lee Enfield action. Single stage trigger. Long Lee magazine. Long Lee barrel and extractor. It is a BSA trade pattern sporting rifle, not military, not a Mk.III. Long Lee Metford bolt and cocking piece.

A rifle could be ordered up with many different option combinations out of the BSA catalog. Even Metford rifled barrels were available still in the late 1920's. So yours is a mix match, made to order for somebody. Which makes it difficult to peg it as any model. It is a custom combination, looks to be all factory.

I see addition serial numbers which would likely be rack numbers. It could have once been a club rifle.

The Lee Speed Patents ran out and no longer had to be displayed after 1914. The barrel nock's form is marked with post 1912 Birmingham proof marks, so we can date this rifle 1912-1914.

I had one very similar which was listed in the BSA catalogue as a Model 3 carbine. Mine was registered with CFC simply as a Lee Enfield carbine, but it had a shorter barrel.

So closest model would be a 'Magazine Lee Enfield'.
 
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Thanks, I will let the seller know and hope that that flies as a model with the CFC.

I knew I could count on the locals here to help out with this one :D

While I'm at it.....anyone care to put a value on this thing for me?

Rifling is worn, no cracks in the stock (only scratches) everything else is as you see it.
 
If the rifleing is "Metford Style" as indicated for cordite only, the leads of the lands will look worn. That is the nature of the beast.
They're made that way to stop the hot cordite gases from burning them away. They probably look fine at the muzzle.

I notice that the forestock has cutouts for a hand gaurd. Maybe one should be aquired and put on it. Try advertiseing for one on the EE.

bearhunter
 
They apparently accepted the BSA as the info they needed after giving them all the crown marking info and what not they gave it the official model of No4 MkI.

They would not accept "Sporter" as a model because it apparently was to broad a description....go figure.
 
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That's hilarious! They once again show us all their lack of knowledge when it comes to the Lee Rifles.
I'm in the middle of dealing with them over a No.4 Mk.1 that I have which has no marking on it at all when it comes to model or even make. Bubba really did his best to mine that's for sure. So far I haven't been able to convince them it is anything other than a No.1 Mk.3 which is certainly is not.
They continue to wallow in their ignorance.
 
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