MLE Mk 1 I found

I recently acquired this 1896 London Small Arms & Co MLE Mk 1. It has been lopped and the barrel shortened and the sights messed with over the years. I stripped the varnish and was delighted to see the LSA&Co cartouche and the Canadian M&D stamp. It has a matching receiver, barrel, and bolt serial number that is in the block of rifles Canada ordered in 1896.
A quick read through the relevant section in "Defending the Dominion" and it seems like I might have lucked into a rarity. Not only were the LSA&Co 1896 purchases relatively limited, but it seems few Mk 1 rifles escaped being sold overseas or converting to 22 calibre.

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I can post more detailed pics for anyone interested.
Cheers,
Burton

Anyone know why the tang has what appears to be a rack number but not a unit name or number?

You should get a rear volley sight and spring to plug those holes in the butt socket.

Already done. :D

Also have a number on my butt plate tang - rack number ? my rifle is a 1907 ConD 11* with early sights and in 303 calAttachment 131914Attachment 131915Attachment 131916Attachment 131917

My latest is a 1896 LSA MLE MkI purchased from Canada by NZ in 1914


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That's a peach!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RCS

Also have a number on my butt plate tang - rack number ? my rifle is a 1907 ConD 11* with early sights and in 303 calAttachment 131914Attachment 131915Attachment 131916Attachment 131917

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Looks like R.F.A. barred out "Royal Field Artillery" and below that "6[?] I.D.A.C.": "Indian Divisional Artillery Column"

Ammunition column - Wikipedia