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…
Bolt Action Rifles
Lee Metford and Lee Enfield Carbines for the Cavalry
When the Lee magazine rifle was adopted for British military service, it was initially produced as a long rifle for the infantry. To accommodate the cavalry on horseback, a much more compact carbine version was […]
bullpup
The EM2 in NATO Trials, with Jonathan Ferguson
Join the Kickstarter campaign and preorder your copy of Jonathan’s “Thorneycroft to SA80: British Bullpup Firearms 1901 – 2020”! Sorry for the poor audio quality – I am back at the Cody Firearms Museum talking […]
Bolt Action Rifles
Colonies Lead the Way: Charger-Loading Lee Enfield MkI India Pattern
While the Indian Army was looked down upon by much of the British military, it saw much more combat service than its European counterpart. The Indian Army was actually faster than the British to recognize […]
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on its inner side a clearance or passage f so that the head of the bolt can pass through to allow the bolt to be fully withdrawn.”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.