Help Identifying .303

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   he!!o all,
I recently inherited what I believe is a Lee-Enfield (mk1) British .303?

Unfortunately, I was not able to find much information on it based on the markings.

I’m hoping to have some help to confirm what this is and possible manufacture date, value, etc.

All I know about it is that it was originally passed down from someone who served in WW2 for the Canadian forces although it was likely not used there.

Any help would be appreciated.

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Blisster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: August 15 2022 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Blisster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Help Identifying .303 Posted: August 15 2022 at 8:52am
	he!!o all, I recently inherited what I believe is a Lee-Enfield (mk1) British .303? Unfortunately, I was not able to find much information on it based on the markings. I’m hoping to have some help to confirm what this is and possible manufacture date, value, etc. All I know about it is that it was originally passed down from someone who served in WW2 for the Canadian forces although it was likely not used there. Any help would be appreciated.

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 15 2022 at 10:54am
	Its a Victorian era (1837–1901) No1 "Long Lee" MLE I think as I see no charger fittings, that's been sporterised. It was originally military issue (the royal "crown" Cypher ) but was sold out of service at some point & ended up in the U.K (crown BM) proof & somehow ended up being import into canada by R&W Kerr in Montreal. It would have originally looked like this:
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Blisster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: August 15 2022 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Blisster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 15 2022 at 11:43am
	Very interesting, thank you! It’s older than I expected. I suspect the “1048” on the left side may be a serial number? Would that help identify the exact year it would have been made?

shiloh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: January 08 2019 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 3049	Post Options Post Reply Quote shiloh Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 15 2022 at 4:50pm
	Would not the forward slope of the bolt and flattened head of the bolt make it a cavalry carbine? Otherwise very cool old girl you got there.

AussieShooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: April 14 2019 Location: Chicago, IL Status: Offline Points: 343	Post Options Post Reply Quote AussieShooter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 15 2022 at 5:59pm
	This is interesting. I have not seen the manufacturer markings on the left side of the receiver. My experience is always on the right side. Great looking rifle.
	"Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges" - Tacitus The more corrupt the state, the more it legislates

Marco1010 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 04 2020 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 406	Post Options Post Reply Quote Marco1010 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 15 2022 at 9:25pm
	If it was a cavalry carbine the markings were shifted to the other side as they cant be read with the flattened and folded down bolt handle. Looks like a typical conversion to a generic sporter similar to the lee-speed rifles. All over the british empire I suspect that gun makers would do these types of conversions for those who's wallets were not fat enough for an actual lee speed.

shiloh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: January 08 2019 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 3049	Post Options Post Reply Quote shiloh Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 16 2022 at 4:30am
	Look at the pics he posted the left side of the socket has the VR crown, Enfield and I, and, the bolt head has an inspection mark. So it looks like it started life as an Enfield Made for Queen Vicky cavalry carbine, then someone wanted a Sparkbrooke sporter, shame really, those old carbines are nice and not too plentiful.

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 16 2022 at 1:27pm
	I think you're right I missed that I got fixated on Lee Speed Sporter!
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

SGonger Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 20 2021 Location: Utah U.S.A Status: Offline Points: 418	Post Options Post Reply Quote SGonger Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 16 2022 at 4:21pm
	Kinda looks like an ex (sporterized) 1895-97 MLE carbine Mk1 to my old eyesight,photo’s kinda dark. Cheer’s.
	Anyone seen the Tardis Box anywhere? 🤨

Blisster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: August 15 2022 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Blisster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 16 2022 at 5:06pm
	Thank you all for this info, this is all new to me. Fair to say this rifle would have originally been from 1890’s? I found one more picture of it: Cheers

Blisster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: August 15 2022 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Blisster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 16 2022 at 5:09pm
	I also found this site with what I think is a more original one with SN 8271, 1896 issue? https://joesalter.ca/products/canadian-1896-issued-long-lee-enfield-rifle

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 16 2022 at 6:33pm
	It comes up as a bad link because of the HTTP & HTTPS leaders. You can only have one, but I don't know which?
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

SGonger Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 20 2021 Location: Utah U.S.A Status: Offline Points: 418	Post Options Post Reply Quote SGonger Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 16 2022 at 7:03pm
	One last tidbit; Not overly familiar with the carbine models & unsure if they dated their barrel’s & location (underneath the fore stock?) etc,someone more knowledgeable might be able to chime in about that hopefully. Cheer’s all.
	Anyone seen the Tardis Box anywhere? 🤨

Zed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Online Points: 6460	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 17 2022 at 2:09pm
	Here is a great video on the Cavalry carbines. It is what your rifle would have been before being sportered. From the wrist markings; I think you have a Lee Metford Carbine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGHmEle95SA
	It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 17 2022 at 3:07pm
	Wonder if it’s the original Medford barrel? Or perhaps rebarreled with an Enfield barrel at time of sporterizing?

shiloh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: January 08 2019 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 3049	Post Options Post Reply Quote shiloh Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 18 2022 at 3:46am
	Based on the shape of the knox form, I`d say the barrel is a replacement. And I might hazard a guess as to the left side of the butt socket looks as though the saddle/sling ring has been removed, which would make it an early version. Also is seems to be lacking a year date.