Mystery mag....help please!

[Noel]

Bought this mag for my Metford but due to staple location it won't fit.

Can anyone help identify what it actually is? Seller said it came out of an 1867 Enfield but I have no experience with one of those beasts.

Thanks kids.

 

[green]

Looks like a LM or LE carbine mag.

 

[Noel]

So did the carbines have a shorter space to fill to lock up in the receiver?

 

[smellie]

Not that I'm aware of, but those things are beyond my budget.

But the Cavalry Carbines DID use a 6-round magazine, which is what this one is and they DID chain them to the front of the triggerguard plate. That way, they wouldn't get lost when you were on horseback and trying to reload while there were people throwing spears and tossing bullets more-or-less randomly in your direction.

Rather a nice little find... and one which you will have NO trouble disposing of, if such is your wont.

Congrats!

 

[Noel]

Not that I'm aware of, but those things are beyond my budget.

But the Cavalry Carbines DID use a 6-round magazine, which is what this one is and they DID chain them to the front of the triggerguard plate. That way, they wouldn't get lost when you were on horseback and trying to reload while there were people throwing spears and tossing bullets more-or-less randomly in your direction.

Rather a nice little find... and one which you will have NO trouble disposing of, if such is your wont.

Congrats!

In the worst way I wanted it to work in my Metford but I have at least a 1/2" interference. Just can't bringmyself to cut off the link and resolder it. Seller mentioned the gun it came from was like a Speed Lee so perhaps it was a carbine, I can't be sure.

It is posted in the EE, sad to let it go, but I think it wise not to wreck a little piece of history.

Thanks guys!

 

[smellie]

A Lee-Speed was a commercially manufactured BSA Lee-Metford Mark II. Speed was at Enfield, had several patents on various features. He was one of the men involved in turning the original Remington-Lee of 1879 into the Lee-Metford of 1888.

I have a Lee-Speed long rifle, one of the ones off the old HMS Briton (launched as HMS Calypso) which was used for training the Nfld Regiment before they went overseas in '14. There are a number of these still out on the East Coast.

REALLY wish I could help on this matter, but I just don't know enough.

 

[Noel]

No worries smellie, every bit helps

Thought about it some last night and pulled the ad this morning, no one had asked to buy it yet.

How hard is it to remove the staple and re-attach lower so it will work for my Metford?

 

[John Sukey]

From an 1867 Enfield?
Since when did Sniders have magazines?

I have to agree that's a carbine mag, and there would be folks willing to give you enough money to make a profit on it.

by the way, the only way that mag will retain the rounds is when it's in the carbine.

 

[sillymike]

Posted on the EE

Wouldn't this be the perfect reason to look for a 'new' rifle? Seriously...

 

[skully]

Lee Metford Carbine Mag

Ddd

 

[Noel]

From an 1867 Enfield?
Since when did Sniders have magazines?

I have to agree that's a carbine mag, and there would be folks willing to give you enough money to make a profit on it.

by the way, the only way that mag will retain the rounds is when it's in the carbine.

Kinda what I thought when I did a google for an 1867 Enfield but you know me, not the argumentative type...


And that answered another question, I was wondering about those small lips not holding the cartridges in. Thanks!

Posted on the EE

Wouldn't this be the perfect reason to look for a 'new' rifle? Seriously...

I don't need any more encouragement that way, but thanks Mike. I can't afford to get the ones fixed I have already.

Wish this one would fit without modding it, I think your right skully. Someone out there must have a 10 shot Metford to trade.

 

[kayceel]

Mystery Mag

Does someone have a pic of the correct magazine for the OP's rifle that they can post so the less than knowledgable like myself can learn what to look for? Kayceel

 

[Noel]

Does someone have a pic of the correct magazine for the OP's rifle that they can post so the less than knowledgable like myself can learn what to look for? Kayceel

A proper Metford mag looks just like a run of the mill No 1 MKIII except it has a rounded front bottom corner and a chain staple soldered on. I have pics here but not loaded. If you need I can set them up for you.