Lee Enfield rifle - B.S.A. and M Co., dated 1896 - looking for information

[Incurable Collectoer]

Very interesting history information Incurable Collectoer.
Much appreciated.
Thanks!

You are welcome. When I acquired my own Long Lee it started an interest in the history of Canada's use of these guns and I'm still learning. I'm always happy to share what I have found out so far.

 

[LawrenceN]

WD stands for War Department, as I recall.

 

[CMichaud]

Looks like a standard/correct Canadian issued Long Lee.

The only anomaly is the C broad arrow which was added (I would suspect post 1907) implying it was still in service at that time.

Check the clearing rod hole in the nose cap and see if it goes through the wood. IIRC, the Long Lees had an approved mod which approved the removal of the clearing rod and some had a new forestock fitted which did not have the clearing rod channel.

Unit markings I have seen are usually applied to the tang the butt plate.

Looks like your swivels are missing?

Here is mine to compare. It is marked and named to Strathcona's Horse

 

[Incurable Collectoer]

A Strathcona Horse marked Long Lee does send me into a jealous rage. Very nice. Does the gun have the trooper number stamped on it? Some of the other mounted rifle units that served in South Africa stamped the gun with the unit name, squadron letter as well as the trooper's number. As an example CMR A 42. If your gun is marked with a trooper number it might be possible to identify who carried it.

 

[CMichaud]

It was carried by Trooper Garner. The rifle is etched with his name and the battles up until he was wounded.

Details of this action taken from the Regimental War Diary state:

Wounded, No.98 Pte. Gamer, whose horse fell and prevented him from getting into the thick of the fight as soon as the others. Before he could join them he was severely wounded. One of the surgeons who was out shooting inside the outposts came up and dressed his wound. Some Boers were observed approaching but were stood off by the plucky surgeon with the aid of the wounded man's rifle.

 

[Incurable Collectoer]

Fascinating. It's nice that the connection to the man who carried the rifle has been preserved.

 

[Guy28]

Fascinating. It's nice that the connection to the man who carried the rifle has been preserved.

Agreed. Another piece of history. Thank you for sharing CMichaud.

 

[CMichaud]

An older pic when I tried the baby powder marking reveal.

His name is on the other side at the wrist

Sorry for the hi jack OP!

 

[Incurable Collectoer]

I'd call it an interesting detour rather than a hijacking.

 

[Incurable Collectoer]

Here is a photo of my Long Lee for comparison. It is a MKI and would have a cleaning rod channel but when I had the new forearm made I left that out and it is now more like a MKI* and does not have the provision for the cleaning rod.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/9ropvb9x9b2JLAqQ7

 

[hammering hank]

Nice find looks great, alot cleaner than the one I stumbled on.

 

[Guy28]

Here is a photo of my Long Lee for comparison. It is a MKI and would have a cleaning rod channel but when I had the new forearm made I left that out and it is now more like a MKI* and does not have the provision for the cleaning rod.


https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipOK9r0doz5LyS_n4wq7GNTNogEgkML6R0HyaGpt

Hi Incurable Collectoer,

I just tried to see your photo but I believe it's not there anymore. I was shown an "404" page saying the requested URL was not found on the server.

 

[Incurable Collectoer]

I have to log in to be able to see it myself so it might not allow others to see it. I have an album on Photobucket but it does not allow sharing so not sure what would be the best platform to be able to share the photo.

 

[Guy28]

I have to log in to be able to see it myself so it might not allow others to see it. I have an album on Photobucket but it does not allow sharing so not sure what would be the best platform to be able to share the photo.

Left you a PM (Private Message)