Help Identifying .303
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Category: Enfields
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URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12201
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 2:51pm
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Topic: Help Identifying .303
Posted By: Blisster
Subject: Help Identifying .303
Date Posted: August 15 2022 at 8:52am
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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.         |
Replies:
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: August 15 2022 at 10:54am
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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) |
Posted By: Blisster
Date Posted: August 15 2022 at 11:43am
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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?
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Posted By: shiloh
Date Posted: August 15 2022 at 4:50pm
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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.
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Posted By: AussieShooter
Date Posted: August 15 2022 at 5:59pm
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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 |
Posted By: Marco1010
Date Posted: August 15 2022 at 9:25pm
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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.
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Posted By: shiloh
Date Posted: August 16 2022 at 4:30am
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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.
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Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: August 16 2022 at 1:27pm
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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) |
Posted By: SGonger
Date Posted: August 16 2022 at 4:21pm
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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? 🤨 |
Posted By: Blisster
Date Posted: August 16 2022 at 5:06pm
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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  |
Posted By: Blisster
Date Posted: August 16 2022 at 5:09pm
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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" rel="nofollow - https://joesalter.ca/products/canadian-1896-issued-long-lee-enfield-rifle |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: August 16 2022 at 6:33pm
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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) |
Posted By: SGonger
Date Posted: August 16 2022 at 7:03pm
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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? 🤨 |
Posted By: Zed
Date Posted: August 17 2022 at 2:09pm
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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" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGHmEle95SA
------------- It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice! |
Posted By: britrifles
Date 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? |
Posted By: shiloh
Date Posted: August 18 2022 at 3:46am
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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.
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Posted By: SGonger
Date Posted: August 18 2022 at 6:18am
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Ditto +1^^^^^^^ 👍 ------------- Anyone seen the Tardis Box anywhere? 🤨 |
Posted By: terrylee
Date Posted: August 19 2022 at 12:53am
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The MLM/E Carbines. Lee Metford Mk I, Lee Enfields Mk I & I*  |