What Lee Enfields ?

[meles meles]

Well oomans, we're building quite a nice little collection of pre-1919 battle rifles: Russian, Swedish, Swiss, Norwegian, German and even an American so far. We deliberately avoided going for any Lee Enfields at the outset, but now that time has come...

What would you recommend as nice affordable rifles, inexpensive, iconic and shootabubble? Our thoughts are that we would like a Lee Metford, an SMLE and a No 4 to represent the major stages in the evolution of this design. However, there are so many variants and sub marks of each it's difficult to know where to start. Our one thought is that if we have an SMLE it would be nice to have one with the magazine cut-off device.

[ovenpaa]

Affordable and shootable... A P14 has to be at the top of the list and a No1 Mk3 and/or No1 Mk3* SMLE

[dromia]

As well as the the Metford you will need Long Lees with Enfield rifling not to mention the MH 303 conversions.

You've only just started to think about maybe scratching the surface.

Badgers are good a scratching though.

[Sandgroper]

Well oomans, we're building quite a nice little collection of pre-1919 battle rifles: Russian, Swedish, Swiss, Norwegian, German and even an American so far.

Pictures? Please

[Dougan]

I had a go with a Long Lee a few weeks ago - really nice rifle...looked the part, felt comfortable and shot straight

Every shooter should have an SMLE - but why us a magazine cut off? ...the action was made for rapid firing

[Dellboy]

i have one for sale

[meles meles]

Our 'merrykan rifle is a Winchester P14, so we have that angle covered...

Our main rifles are:

Russian: Mosin Nagant M1891 in 7.62 x54R, hex receiver, partly re-arsenalled to sniper spec in 1941 with laminate stock and single stage trigger but scope mount not fitted and conversion never completed. It appears to have been returned to the front line as was...

Swedish: Carl Gustaf Long Rifle M1896 in 6.5x55

Noggin: Krag-Jorgensen in 6.5 x 55. Had been sporterised in the 1950s, currently being restored to original condition

'merrykan: Winchester P14

Yugoslav: M48 Mauser carbine

Australian: AIA Lee Enfield no 6 Jungle carbine in 7.62x39

Swiss K31 carbine in 7.5x55 Swiss

W W Greener Martini action .22LR


Pictures ? You want pictures? *Scurries away to find crayons*

[meles meles]

but why us a magazine cut off? ...the action was made for rapid firing

Ah, but the magazine cut off was to allow single shot fire to lure the fuzzy wuzzies out into the open after they had counted ten rounds gone, whereupon one could mow them down with the full magazine as they ran forward to chuck their pointy sticks....

[bnz41]

Your 41 Mosin, have the mount holes been filled/welded and where are they located? (side or on top of receiver) and is the bolt handle straight? if so then it's most likely a ex sniper re done as a standard infantry rifle. Need pics

[meles meles]

No, there are no holes for mounting a scope so I am of the opinion that the conversion was never completed. As I understand it, as rifles were returned from their regiments to have the arshin graduated Czarist sights replaced with metric sights and new barrels added, a few rifles from each batch that produced the most accurate group on proofing were set aside for sniper conversion. Once sufficient of these had been gathered together, a batch of sniper rifles would be made. These generally (though not always) had a laminated stock, single stage trigger, sight mounts, cranked bolt handle and a deep crown. Mine appears to have part of this work done, possibly starting in 1938 or 1940 (marks are indistinct), but was returned to the field with a 1941 proof mark. I assume they needed quantity rather than quality at that juncture...