Short Lee Enfields...no really, I mean short

[Bolivar]

I saw these two on a recent tour of a military museum. There were no staff around to ask about them so I though I would try with the gang here.

Can anybody tell me what these were used for? I am thinking either close trench combat or maybe for armoured crewman?

Sorry for the crappy pics, I only had my cell phone and they were in plexiglass cases.

Cheers

 

[smellie]

Used for launching grenades or smoke canisters from vehicles.

There are also Rosses which have had this abominable treatment.

Verily, I weep.
.

 

[Talquin]

function over form for those guys I guess.

 

[wheaty]

They were made in India and used in Southern Asia by both Indian and British troops during WW II. They took the 2 1/2 in. discharger cup. It was reported that the SAS used them for lobbing grenades off the roll bars of their LRDG vehicles as well, but no pictures to corroborate that statement.
What museum were they in ??? You don't see many of them around.

 

[scott585]

they (usually) took shot out rifles or ones with severe rust etc in the barrel and made these or similar, these ones have a cable to fire them remotely:

 

[Bolivar]

function over form for those guys I guess.

I have to agree. Soldiers adapting their weapons (or more correctly, unit armorers) and surviving to tell the tales history is better than prying unmolested rifles from their cold dead hands and assuming we know what happened.

It's not like the Lee Enfield was a rare rifle at the time.

And frankly, I'll love to have LE Mares Leg for....well, okay, just to have it.

 

[Bolivar]

They were made in India and used in Southern Asia by both Indian and British troops during WW II. They took the 2 1/2 in. discharger cup. It was reported that the SAS used them for lobbing grenades off the roll bars of their LRDG vehicles as well, but no pictures to corroborate that statement.
What museum were they in ??? You don't see many of them around.

Borden Military Museum - weapons section. Apparently not often open to the public. I got lucky I guess.

 

[John Sukey]

And of course one was used by the JAWAS to immobilze R2D2

Unfortunatly we can't collect them because they are an EVIL short barreled rifle
Note both are missing the grenade discharger cups

 

[tootall]

Used for launching grenades or smoke canisters from vehicles.

There are also Rosses which have had this abominable treatment.

Verily, I weep.
.

Weep not, my friend.
It is a valid piece of military history, with a purpose.

Quite unlike the rubbish Bubba cooks up when he get all liquored up.

 

[shredder]

Used for launching grenades or smoke canisters from vehicles.

There are also Rosses which have had this abominable treatment.

Verily, I weep.
.

A unique improvisation with excellent provenance.

Part of me is pleased with the ability of the troops to improvise and adapt.

Part of me is saddened that some good Lee-Enfields were cut up to make these.

Part of me wants to get his hands on them just for the hell of it!!!!

 

[Cdn303]

I've heard of similar rifles done up for the tunnelers during war one

 

[wheaty]

This is one of the launcher rifles complete with 2 1/2 cup. You see them in the UK at museums but seldom here. I must have missed the ones at the Borden Museum, but then it is like a dungeon in there with very poor lighting.

 

[wheaty]

Here is a shot of one of the Canadian 1910 Ross rifles made into a 4 inch launcher for an AFV.

 

[stripperclipper]

And I thought my Ross was hacked up!