Original Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptionally interesting early British .303 Lee-Enfield Cavalry Carbine Mk I, manufactured at the Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield and dated 1895, then converted at Birmingham in 1902 for issue to the Royal Irish Constabulary. Serial number 5483 A remains on both the receiver and barrel, while the original R.I.C. butt disc records its police issue in April 1904 as carbine number 3609. It retains the desirable early six round magazine with retaining loop, bolt mounted safety, action dust cover, magazine cutoff, flattened cavalry bolt knob, R.I.C. stock modifications, and an excellent bright bore. Carbines retaining such a complete combination of early Lee-Enfield and documented R.I.C. features are particularly desirable.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The early Lee-Enfield family represents one of the most important stages in the development of the British service rifle. The Magazine Lee-Enfield rifle entered service during the mid 1890s, combining James Paris Lee's rear locking bolt action and detachable box magazine with Enfield pattern rifling for the .303 British cartridge. A compact cavalry carbine followed, using a short barrel, six round magazine, early bolt mounted safety, dust cover, and other features specifically intended for mounted service.

This example began life as one of those early Lee-Enfield Cavalry Carbines. The left side of the butt socket is clearly marked:

V.R.
ENFIELD
1895
I.
L.E.C.

The crowned V.R. is the royal cypher of Queen Victoria, Victoria Regina. ENFIELD identifies manufacture at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock, while 1895 is the original manufacturing date. The I. / L.E.C. designation identifies the arm as a Lee-Enfield Cavalry Carbine Mk I.

The original serial number is:

5483 A

and is present on both the front of the receiver and the chamber end of the barrel.

The bolt retains the characteristic flattened knob associated with the cavalry carbine pattern. The reduced profile helped minimize protrusion and snagging when the short arm was carried and handled by mounted troops. Importantly, military inspection marks remain present on the modified knob, showing that this was an official service configuration rather than a later commercial alteration.

The carbine also retains its original compact six round detachable magazine. The small metal retaining loop is still present, allowing the magazine to remain tethered to the arm when removed and reducing the chance of loss during cleaning or service.

The early pattern safety remains mounted at the rear of the bolt on the cocking piece. The carbine also retains the sliding dust cover over the action and the magazine cutoff on the receiver, all characteristic features of these early Lee service arms before the introduction of the later SMLE system.

After military service, the carbine was selected for conversion and issue to the Royal Irish Constabulary. The right side of the butt stock carries the Birmingham refurbishment roundel:

BIRMINGHAM
(Broad Arrow)
1902
1

This marking identifies an official Birmingham repair or conversion in 1902. Surviving R.I.C. carbines are well documented with Birmingham 1902 refurbishment markings before their issue to the Constabulary during the following years.

The conversion adapted the cavalry carbine so that it could accept the standard British Pattern 1888 sword bayonet. This required alteration of the fore stock, fitting an enlarged or sleeved muzzle section to accommodate the bayonet muzzle ring, and installing the modified nose cap and bayonet attachment arrangement.

On this example the lower bayonet attachment or lug was subsequently ground away, leaving the underside of the nose cap flush. The front stock nevertheless retains the distinctive grafted section added during the R.I.C. conversion.

Additional sling swivels were fitted during conversion, including one beneath the butt and another at the nose cap, allowing the carbine to be carried in a manner better suited to police service rather than exclusively in its original cavalry configuration. The original rear cavalry sling loop on the butt stock also remains present.

The strongest evidence of actual Royal Irish Constabulary issue is the original brass butt disc, stamped:

4. '04
R.I.C.
3609

This records issue to the Royal Irish Constabulary in April 1904, with Constabulary inventory or issue number 3609. Comparable surviving R.I.C. carbines show the same month and year format followed by the organization abbreviation and individual issue number.

The Royal Irish Constabulary received approximately 10,000 surplus Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield carbines during the opening years of the 20th century. These compact arms remained in police service through a period of increasing unrest in Ireland and were still in use during the years surrounding the Irish War of Independence. Without additional unit records, however, we cannot identify where R.I.C. carbine number 3609 was stationed or establish any connection to a particular incident.

The right side of the breech carries opposed broad arrows indicating disposal from government service. The carbine was subsequently commercially proved and bears later British nitro proof markings, including:

BNP

and associated pressure and caliber information, indicating civilian proof after its government service life had ended. There is also an E on top of the barrel chamber, indicating that it has "Enfield" style cut rifling, as is correct.

Overall condition is very good and shows the expected evidence of prolonged military and police service without heavy firing wear.

The receiver, dust cover, barrel, and other metal components retain substantial blue finish. Some areas have faded toward plum, with normal edge wear at projecting surfaces and around the muzzle. We do not see major rust damage, deep pitting, or widespread heavy peppering.

The rear sight remains complete and functional. The ladder operates correctly, although its slider is presently loose and does not reliably hold its selected position when raised.

The bolt cycles smoothly during manual inspection and gives a crisp dry fire. We have not tested the carbine with cartridges or dummy ammunition and therefore cannot verify feeding from the six round magazine.

The magazine release remains functional, and the magazine can be removed as designed. The magazine cutoff also moves correctly.

The bolt mounted safety remains fully functional. When engaged it prevents the firing mechanism from releasing and also prevents the bolt from being opened.

The bore is in excellent condition, retaining a bright interior with crisp lands and grooves. We see no significant wear and very little evidence of old fouling, suggesting that despite its lengthy service history the carbine was not subjected to extensive firing.

The walnut stocks remain in very good service used condition and have developed a handsome dark red brown color from decades of oiling, handling, and cleaning. They show the expected dents, dings, scratches, and handling marks accumulated during their long working life.

The brass butt plate retains its working storage compartment. The compartment is presently empty.

The lower fore stock has a small grafted repair on the right side beneath the rear sight. The forward end also retains the larger graft associated with the R.I.C. conversion.

The handguard shows somewhat heavier wear than the remaining stock components. A crack begins at the top center of its forward end and extends rearward approximately 1 1/2".

The sling swivel at the nose cap remains present and moves freely.

With its extraordinarily early 1895 Enfield manufacture, matching 5483 A receiver and barrel serial numbers, official BIRMINGHAM / 1902 conversion marking, original R.I.C. / 3609 / 4.'04 issue disc, six round magazine with retaining loop, early dust cover and bolt safety, surviving cavalry sling hardware, and excellent bore, this carbine documents two distinct chapters of British and Irish service history. It began as one of the early Lee-Enfield cavalry carbines of the Victorian Army and later became a purpose converted Royal Irish Constabulary arm. That combination makes it an exceptional addition to a collection of early Lee-Enfields, British cavalry arms, Irish police firearms, or weapons associated with the turbulent final decades of British rule in Ireland.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1895
Maker: RSAF Enfield
Model: Lee-Enfield RIC Carbine
Serial No.: 5483 A
Caliber: .303 British
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 20.75 Inches
Overall Length: 39.9 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 6 round double stack Magazine.
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required.