Item Description
Original Item: One Only. This is definitely an interesting piece of history! This rifle started life as an 1889 dated Lee Metford MkI .303 caliber rifle, and was then updated to MkI.* configuration. After that, the history is not exactly clear, but it does not appear to have been converted to Lee-Enfield after that, as it still has the original Metford style nose cap. The action is marked with serial # 722 / I, which is also marked on the barrel nocks form.
On the top right of the stock cup it is marked:
(CROWN)
V.R.
ENFIELD
1889
I.*
The royal cypher Crown over V.R. stands for Victoria Regina. Well, this Queen, longest lived of all British monarchs, had an influence far beyond the British Isles and the British Empire during the Nineteenth Century. Victorian morals dominated the cultured classes of Great Britain and the new United States, and even now, in the Twenty-First Century, nostalgic organizations such as the Victorian Riflemen thrive in the former Colonies.
The ENFIELD marking indicates that the rifle was manufactured at The Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield (R.S.A.F ENFIELD), which produced all manner of small arms for the British armed forces. The rifle was made in 1889, and then was updated somehow, as indicated by the star.
After that however, we are not sure of the exact history of the rifle. It is clear however that now it is a Drill Purpose training rifle, which was made out of the Lee-Metford Barreled Receiver. The butt stock looks to be a standard Lee-Enfield MkIII style stock, and the fore stock forward of the receiver has been replaced by multiple pieces of wood, possibly 4. The top heat shield is missing behind the rear sight as well, though these are easily lost.
It also looks like at some point the barrel was cut about 2 inches behind the nose cap, and then welded back together. We do not know why this was done, but it is still the full Long Lee-Metford length. The left side of the butt stock cap does have some dates going into the 1890s, but nothing indicates any type of conversion. There is just the usual D.P. mark over the chamber, indicating that this rifle is not intended for use.
A very interesting training rifle, made from a very early Lee-Metford Rifle. Ready to display!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: 1889 - modified later.
Caliber: .303
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 30 Inches
Overall Length: 49 1/2 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
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 and most nations around the world.
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.
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