Long Lee or MLE info

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Slash5

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Couldn't resist picking up a sportered Enfield at the Paris auction. Always wanted one with the dust cover.
Did a quick lookup on the net and see that it is a Long Lee or MLE. Bore looked pretty raunchy but it's cleaning up well - not bad at all. I may run out of patches before I get a clean one out.
Just tried a field gauge and the bolt was a long way from closing - sounding better and better.
Made in Sparkbrook in 1897.
One thing I notice on the guns on the Internet is the safety on the bolt.
Mine doesn't have it. No safety on the gun. Is this just a matter of changing the cocking piece or is there more to it?
Also, no mag cutoff. Can I get any mag cutoff and screw or is there a special one for the long Lee?
 
two versions of the Long Lee DID NOT have a safety.

Not sure if a No1Mk3 cutoff will work, but I have a couple of NEW spares if you want to give it a try.
 
Lee metford MkII did not have safety. You probably have a SMLE bolt. Long lee safety engaged on an extension on the rear of the bolt.
 
Slash5 said:
Couldn't resist picking up a sportered Enfield at the Paris auction. Always wanted one with the dust cover.
Did a quick lookup on the net and see that it is a Long Lee or MLE. Bore looked pretty raunchy but it's cleaning up well - not bad at all. I may run out of patches before I get a clean one out.
Just tried a field gauge and the bolt was a long way from closing - sounding better and better.
Made in Sparkbrook in 1897.
One thing I notice on the guns on the Internet is the safety on the bolt.
Mine doesn't have it. No safety on the gun. Is this just a matter of changing the cocking piece or is there more to it?
Also, no mag cutoff. Can I get any mag cutoff and screw or is there a special one for the long Lee?
Click to expand...
Good grief...I,m starting to sound like a shill for the Orangeville gun show this sunday....everything you need for that rifle will be available at that show.don,t waste your money on a magazine cut-off..looks OK on an original but a waste on a sporterised lee...there was a reason they threw those things away. as for the bolt...slip it in your pocket if you come to the show and take the info off the rifle...people more knowlegable than me will be able to help you...I missed the Paris sale...heard I didn,t miss much
 
Yup, 1897 MLE should have the safety on the bolt's cocking piece. The bolt is different to a SMLE, in that it has an extension on the back, so not just a matter of changing cocking pieces, the firing pin is longer too.

However, if your bolt has a dust cover and no safety, it might be a MLM Mk.II bolt.
If so probably several other collectors or myself would do you a straight trade for the correct MLE bolt in a heartbeat.

An SMLE cut off and screw will fit and work with any mag.

A MLE cut off won't work with an SMLE mag, it doesn't have the notch to clear the front feed lip.

I find a cut off to be a really handy gadet to have on a rifle, I always fit one if I can, sportered or not. Having a cut off allows me to open the bolt for my safety drill and not worry about cartridges falling out or being chambered when I close the bolt.
 
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Slash5 said:
One thing I notice on the guns on the Internet is the safety on the bolt. Mine doesn't have it. No safety on the gun. Is this just a matter of changing the cocking piece or is there more to it? Also, no mag cutoff. Can I get any mag cutoff and screw or is there a special one for the long Lee?
Click to expand...

Just for clarity, you are talking about a missing safety such as the one displayed in these pics?

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

If you're looking at refurbishing this old girl, here's a link in the Milsurp Knowledge Library - England Sectionhttp://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12, to 137 picture virtual tour of an all correct example.


1896 MLE (Magazine Lee-Enfield) No.1 "Long Lee" (click here)
(Mfg by BSA&M Co. - Birmingham Small Arms & Machine Co.)
"Issued to the 37th Haldimand Battalion of Rifles"

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Hope this helps..... :)

Regards,
Badger

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Then again, if it was a real sporter and not a bubba job, it could have been built by one of the Brit gunmakers in that manner from parts on hand.

Just don't shove one up the spout unless you intend to shoot it.;)
 
GrantR said:
BadgerDog - VERY nice Canadian-marked MLE!!!

FWIW: http://www.regiments.org/regiments/na-canada/volmil/on-inf/037haldi.htm
Click to expand...

Thanks Grant.. appreciate the feedback...

I updated the MKL entry for the 1896 MLE (Magazine Lee-Enfield) No.1 "Long Lee" (click here) in the Milsurp Knowledge Library - England Sectionhttp://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12 with your web site feedback.

Regards,
Badger

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