Today we have a very odd BSA prototype Long Lee rifle. The details of its production are unknown, but it has good provenance; the Charnwood Ordnance collection. What makes the rifle unusual is a unique style of split charger guide unlike either the SMLE type fixed guides or the earlier CLLE guides mounted to the bolt head. It has commercial proof markings, and nothing on the receiver socket. An interesting mystery rifle for you Lee Enfield enthusiasts…
Semiauto pistol
British L66A1: A Pistol for Northern Ireland
In 1974, the British Royal Army Ordnance Corps purchased about 3,000 .22lr caliber Walther PP pistols to issue as Personal Defense Weapons to service members of the Ulster Defense Regiment. These were to be issued […]
Video
WWI Trench Hand Weapons
Karl and I recently did some work with a wide selection of hand weapons from WWI (some original, some reproductions) for a video in collaboration with the excellent YouTube channel The Great War. Have a […]
Bolt Action Rifles
Britains First Standard Trainer: the No 2 Mk IV*
This rifle is coming up for sale at RIA on June 23. The British military started using training rifles in 1883, with the .297/.230 Morris cartridge in adapted Martini rifles. This would give way to […]
I’m curious how a rifle from the Charnwood Ordnance collection ended up in Ian’s house? Did Ian buy it somewhere along the line? Another collector lend it?
Perhaps related to this patent as seen on Espacenet
GB190514587 (A) – Improvements in Certain Parts of Magazine-rifles
BIRMINGHAM SMALL ARMS CO LTD; GEORGE NORMAN
1906-01-18
“14,587. Birmingham Small Arms Co., and Norman, G. July 15. Breech actions, sliding breech-block. -Relates to guides for the cartridge chargers or clips attached to rifles of the Lee – Enfield and similar types. The right – hand guide, which is usually connected to the breech-bolt, is, according to the present invention, attached to the body a and made of the form shown at e in the sectional view, Fig. 3, having on its inner side a clearance or passage f so that the head of the bolt can pass through to allow the bolt to be fully withdrawn.”
So, when can we look forward to the 1000th Lee Enfield posting by Ian? Laughter.
You best start believing in Enfield stories…..You’re in one.
It is very interesting, especially, to see how the developers consistently went to the solutions that can be seen in the final versions.
Judging by the cutouts on the sides of the receiver, they already knew (or guessed) about the problem with the brass breaks.