lee metford butt plate marking?
- Thread starter JTF#
- Start date
Based on a review of markings in "The Broad Arrow: British and Empire Factory Production, Proof, Inspection, Armourers, Unit & Issue Markings", this is likely marking for one of the 28 Battalions of The London Regiment, which was formed in the British "Territorial Force" in 1908 by amalgamation of various earlier Volunteer Rifle Corps units. (The 7th Battalion was the former 3rd London Volunteer Rifle Corps, first established in 1861.)
Territorial Army units were volunteer reserves, and as such would have been armed with various configurations of "Long Lees" at that time, although the Regular Army was re-armed with the SMLE introduced in 1903.
(Has this rifle been converted to charger loading, by any chance?)
Territorial Army units were volunteer reserves, and as such would have been armed with various configurations of "Long Lees" at that time, although the Regular Army was re-armed with the SMLE introduced in 1903.
(Has this rifle been converted to charger loading, by any chance?)
Yes, British, I would say. To the best of my knowledge, Canada got no Lee-Metford rifles .... instead we had Magazine Lee-Enfield rifles, ordered in 1896.
As I'm sure you know, your rifle has been "sporterized" ..... but the barrel appears to be close to its original length (the set-back of the fore-sight should be greater, so the barrel has apparently been shortened a bit) .... it might be possible to restore it to something approaching military configuration. Newly-made rough-inlet stocks are available, although getting some of the metal bits (barrel bands, volley sights, etc.) could be a challenge. I have recently put a MkII Lee-Metford into shooting condition - it had been downgraded to "Drill Purpose" (which included shortening the firing pin and peening shut the firing pin hole in the bolt face) but it still had its full-length stock and pretty much all of the metal hardware. It shoots surprisingly well, but I just realized that I haven't taken any photos of it since I finished it. This is a rather poor quality "before" picture received from the vendor at the time I was dealing on it -
I wanted something I could use in the Victorian-era "military action shooting" I do, so as to no longer be "beating up" the very lovely London Small Arms commercial-production military-configuration target rifle I have -
As I'm sure you know, your rifle has been "sporterized" ..... but the barrel appears to be close to its original length (the set-back of the fore-sight should be greater, so the barrel has apparently been shortened a bit) .... it might be possible to restore it to something approaching military configuration. Newly-made rough-inlet stocks are available, although getting some of the metal bits (barrel bands, volley sights, etc.) could be a challenge. I have recently put a MkII Lee-Metford into shooting condition - it had been downgraded to "Drill Purpose" (which included shortening the firing pin and peening shut the firing pin hole in the bolt face) but it still had its full-length stock and pretty much all of the metal hardware. It shoots surprisingly well, but I just realized that I haven't taken any photos of it since I finished it. This is a rather poor quality "before" picture received from the vendor at the time I was dealing on it -
I wanted something I could use in the Victorian-era "military action shooting" I do, so as to no longer be "beating up" the very lovely London Small Arms commercial-production military-configuration target rifle I have -
I believe the "N" stamped on the left side of the butt socket indicates the rifle was issued to the Navy. There should be naval markings on the left side of the receiver ring and/or the barrel reinforce. I suppose it could have been issued to Volunteer ,Forces after it's Naval service. Could you post a photo of that area?
The rifle MIGHT be London Rifles but no guarantee that the butt is original to the rifle. We can only say with some confidence that the butt plate is London rifles.
I note that the butt plate screws appear to be made of iron which would be correct for a Lee Enfield butt, so it could be a replacement from another rifle. Lee Metford rifles used brass screws.
The barrel was bobbed an inch by its civilian owner, usually to restore the crown. Many rifles were worn at thier muzzle from being cleaned with much use of the rope 'pull through'. The term used for the damage was 'cord worn'. The barrel was cut back to fresh rifling likely to restore accuracy.
Your rifle is a classic. I have several just like it, bobbed barrel and remodeled butt and forestock the same length and shape.
But with a sporter created by civilian hands, I would not put too much meaning in any regimental marks on easily removable parts with respect to a whole rifle. Yes, some sporters wear all their original components. Others are real mix-masters.
Nice old gun, howzit shoot?
I note that the butt plate screws appear to be made of iron which would be correct for a Lee Enfield butt, so it could be a replacement from another rifle. Lee Metford rifles used brass screws.
The barrel was bobbed an inch by its civilian owner, usually to restore the crown. Many rifles were worn at thier muzzle from being cleaned with much use of the rope 'pull through'. The term used for the damage was 'cord worn'. The barrel was cut back to fresh rifling likely to restore accuracy.
Your rifle is a classic. I have several just like it, bobbed barrel and remodeled butt and forestock the same length and shape.
But with a sporter created by civilian hands, I would not put too much meaning in any regimental marks on easily removable parts with respect to a whole rifle. Yes, some sporters wear all their original components. Others are real mix-masters.
Nice old gun, howzit shoot?
Last edited:
I think you are right about the London rifles. On the butt if you bend the light just right on it you can see an EY stamp on it. It would make sence a gun that was put as an emergency gun would go to a home guard type unit right?
I haven't shot it yet. Not till we get much nicer weather. But when I do I think I will stick to the round nose soft point ammo from federal. I will save my mkvii ammo for the newer guns. The soft point bullets would better replicate the mk6 ??
