Lee Enfields: South African Modifications & Manufacture

[Terrylee]

(1) & (2) The South African “No.1 Converted”. From late 1941 to about May 1943 4,250 of these rifles were produced. They were conversions of expropriated Long Lees with worn barrels. Both Lee Enfields and Lee Metfords appear to have been used. In this “upgrade” British barrels, sights and furniture were used while nose-caps and swivels were manufactured locally. Some of these rifles retained their original dust covers and magazine cut-offs while other did not. Bolts were unchaltered resulting in Lee Metford Mk.II conversions having no safety catch. The lack of charger-bridge combined with the British-manufactured forend resulted in the very distinctive gap by which these rifles may be identified. Archival records indicate that they were used for training and issued to the Defence Rifle Associations. A few may have also ended up with the Parks Board.

(3) Magazine Lee Enfield with upgraded sighting. It is unknown exactly when this modification took place but they were on issue with the police shortly following the First World War and remained in use by the Defence Rifle Associations for many years thereafter.The South African problem with charger-guides appears to have predated the No.1 Converted!

(4) South African Bayonets produced during the Second World War. Top to bottom: Pattern 1888 Mk. III & Pat.1907 manufactured by the South African Railways, Patterns.1907 & 1913 by the Associated Engineers Company.

Information

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