lettle help with an enfield ID
- Thread starter Fremen
- Start date
Sgt Striker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Great White North, Eh!
My my, what a shame. At one time, what you had there was a Lee Metord MkII that I think has been in New Zealand service. Too bad, most MkII's that I've seen have had the star as well.....
I have a rifle same date, with many of the same markings. What is the serial number? Does the bolt have a safety catch on the cocking piece?
You have a Mk.II Lee Metford that has gone through the factory many times for repairs and/or upgrades. Each time it was inspected, the inspector put his coded factory mark mark and the date of inspection on the left hand butt socket band. For example, I can see that an Enfield inspector (crown over E and number) has marked and dated it in 1895 ('95).
The butt plate tang is where regimental or unit information was applied. It bears the New Zealand govt property mark. The E14 marking shows that at least the buttplate is from one of a batch of rifles supplied and shipped out of England to new Zealand in 1914, in return for an earlier loan of rifles from NZ to the Brits in South Africa during the Boer War. The four digit number is the NZ rack number.
If the butt plate is original to your rifle, the receiver ring and barrel knox form will also carry the NZ govt marks.
You have a Mk.II Lee Metford that has gone through the factory many times for repairs and/or upgrades. Each time it was inspected, the inspector put his coded factory mark mark and the date of inspection on the left hand butt socket band. For example, I can see that an Enfield inspector (crown over E and number) has marked and dated it in 1895 ('95).
The butt plate tang is where regimental or unit information was applied. It bears the New Zealand govt property mark. The E14 marking shows that at least the buttplate is from one of a batch of rifles supplied and shipped out of England to new Zealand in 1914, in return for an earlier loan of rifles from NZ to the Brits in South Africa during the Boer War. The four digit number is the NZ rack number.
If the butt plate is original to your rifle, the receiver ring and barrel knox form will also carry the NZ govt marks.
One more tidbit of info, I note that the buttplate is attached to the stock with brass screws. These were introduced around 1888 and used on Martini Mk.IV and Magazine Lee Metford rifles with the intention to prevent corrosion making the screws seize in the wood and become difficult to remove.
Perhaps this was thought an uneccessary measure as brass was dropped and iron screws were used again with the introduction of the Magazine Lee Enfield in 1895.
So at least the butt plate screws are correct for your 1893 rifle.
Any word on N/i\Z markings on the reciever and barrel?
Perhaps this was thought an uneccessary measure as brass was dropped and iron screws were used again with the introduction of the Magazine Lee Enfield in 1895.
So at least the butt plate screws are correct for your 1893 rifle.
Any word on N/i\Z markings on the reciever and barrel?
