LE 1/III - Sling Swivel Mount @ Front Of Magazine Housing/Trigger Guard?
- Thread starter nw mb
- Start date
Deltasilver
Regular
- Location
- Right behind you...
Don't think you guys are talking about the same thing. OP are you talking about the little loop in front on the trigger guard? Or is your rifle equipped with a target swivel?
If it's the latter then google "endfield target swivel" and go from there. I run a Bren gun sling through mine, gives the extra length needed to get a proper forearm brace.
If it's the latter then google "endfield target swivel" and go from there. I run a Bren gun sling through mine, gives the extra length needed to get a proper forearm brace.
There was a trigger guard mounted sling swivel mount introduced on the Sht.LE Mk.III from 1907 to about 1915. It was a carry over from the days of the Martini and the Rifle Regiments. The Lee Enfield has options for sling mounting. Rifle Regiments' sling mounted on swivels attached to trigger guard and nose cap. The same sized and thread screw was used with a regular swivel.
In 1915 there were a number of manufacturing concessions to help wartime production which included the deletion of the machined trigger guard swivel mount, being replaced with a simple wire loop that was used for the attachment of the leather lace of the canvass breech cover.
It was the earlier long Lee that used an identical wire loop for the attachment of the magazine with a chain link to make it captive.
Many rifles were retro fitted with the sling swivel guard by unit armourers for.use on the range as a mount for a two point target sling.
In 1915 there were a number of manufacturing concessions to help wartime production which included the deletion of the machined trigger guard swivel mount, being replaced with a simple wire loop that was used for the attachment of the leather lace of the canvass breech cover.
It was the earlier long Lee that used an identical wire loop for the attachment of the magazine with a chain link to make it captive.
Many rifles were retro fitted with the sling swivel guard by unit armourers for.use on the range as a mount for a two point target sling.
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Lee-Metford Mk I
It would appear that it was used for both a magazine attachment and a sling swivel.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk65/fratesmilites/MetfordMK1-12.jpg
From (scroll down )
http://www.fotosmilitares.org/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=584
Also; http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.com/topic/15512/Sling-Attachment-On-The-Metford-Lee
It would appear that it was used for both a magazine attachment and a sling swivel.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk65/fratesmilites/MetfordMK1-12.jpg
From (scroll down )
http://www.fotosmilitares.org/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=584
Also; http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.com/topic/15512/Sling-Attachment-On-The-Metford-Lee
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excellent!
...some discussion on the mid-point attachment...as a horseman there's not doubt that a mid-point attachment would be much more comfortable and maneuverable in the saddle riding higher on your back without the low-point getting snagged when mounting/dismounting...which is opposite of what is on one of links
...thank you
edit...
for reference - my rifle is a LE No1 MkIII* which was manufactured at the Enfield arsenal in 1919 with all matching numbers, but of course there is no knowing whether it was retrofit with this trigger guard or if it was done at the time of manufacture...
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The Mk.I Lee Metford is quite the different animal to that of later Lee Enfields. It was Britain's first general issue repeating rifle and was a work in progress.
It incorporated many traits of the Martini Henry rifle which it replaced including the same overall length and sling mounting points.
Approved for manufacture in 1888 it went into.production the following year. Initial issue included a second magazine which was attached via a spring clip to a wire loop coiled around the sling swivel. It had an eight round single stack mag which was changed to a ten round double stack in 1892 with the issue of the Mk.II. The guard was adjusted to suit and now had a simple loop for attaching a non removable chain link to attach the mag and no sling swivel.
The phenomenon of features being deleted only to reappear in later years is not uncommon with the Lee series of rifles.
Another feature that comes to.mind is the receiver mounted safety catch. It was incorporated in the Mk.I production but was removed with the Mk.I*. The rifle had no safety at all other than the half #### on the cocking piece. Eventually due to pressure from cavalry squadrons, the carbine was given a cocking piece mounted safety in 1894. This safety device was then added to the rifle in 1895. This is the familiar feature that we see on the long Lees.
The receiver safety came back in 1903 with slight changes.
That is often why collectors get confused when trying to identify rifles are parts thereof by single features.
There are a number of variations of the trigger guard. Some very subtle such as finger loop thickness or lightening cuts. That is what I find fascinating. It is almost like detective work looking at the design and acceptance marks. I can usually peg the year or a range of years. This is often useful when examining a rifle purported to be 'factory original' with an assembly of parts that range in style that vary 20 years or more.
So if you have a trigger guard with a loop, it could be one of many.
If you have a trigger guard with sling swivel lugs, it can be identified in a range of year.
It incorporated many traits of the Martini Henry rifle which it replaced including the same overall length and sling mounting points.
Approved for manufacture in 1888 it went into.production the following year. Initial issue included a second magazine which was attached via a spring clip to a wire loop coiled around the sling swivel. It had an eight round single stack mag which was changed to a ten round double stack in 1892 with the issue of the Mk.II. The guard was adjusted to suit and now had a simple loop for attaching a non removable chain link to attach the mag and no sling swivel.
The phenomenon of features being deleted only to reappear in later years is not uncommon with the Lee series of rifles.
Another feature that comes to.mind is the receiver mounted safety catch. It was incorporated in the Mk.I production but was removed with the Mk.I*. The rifle had no safety at all other than the half #### on the cocking piece. Eventually due to pressure from cavalry squadrons, the carbine was given a cocking piece mounted safety in 1894. This safety device was then added to the rifle in 1895. This is the familiar feature that we see on the long Lees.
The receiver safety came back in 1903 with slight changes.
That is often why collectors get confused when trying to identify rifles are parts thereof by single features.
There are a number of variations of the trigger guard. Some very subtle such as finger loop thickness or lightening cuts. That is what I find fascinating. It is almost like detective work looking at the design and acceptance marks. I can usually peg the year or a range of years. This is often useful when examining a rifle purported to be 'factory original' with an assembly of parts that range in style that vary 20 years or more.
So if you have a trigger guard with a loop, it could be one of many.
If you have a trigger guard with sling swivel lugs, it can be identified in a range of year.
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maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
A two-point sling for target shooting uses a slack, broad sling attached to the middle loop and the centre swivel. The shooter, in the prone always, puts his supporting arm into the space between the rifle and the sling, gives his arm a twist to form a collar on the bicep, and then nestles down into position. The support hand rests between the front loop and the sling, often wearing a padded glove. By hitching the collar up on the arm, the shooter can comfortably hold the rifle on aim without too many muscled tremours. The single point sling is much easier to use for the rest of the shooting community, and two-point slings are almost never seen these days.
