Super Rare MLE

[Lance]

Broke open the vault and decided to take some pic's of one of my rarest rifle's for all to enjoy.

Per the text books "some 2,000" of these Single Loader Long Lee Enfields were supplied to India in 1912 for frontier issue. Enfield is recorded as the converter but this example was done at LSA. Due to the fact that these rifles were issued to troops of questionable loyalty in the Indian frontier and due to the fact that India rebuilt/recycled their Lee Enfields countless times, survivors in factory condition are few. I have yet to see another and would love if someone has one to please post pic's for comparison. I have included pictures for comparison to a SMLE SL and to India's other non-standard MLE's, the CLLE Mk I IP and CLLE Mk II IP.

This rifle, serial number 7317C, was converted at LSA Ltd in 1912 from an 1899 LSA MLE Mk I of the same serial number. The rifle is completely matching (bolt, barrel, receiver, rear sight) including a serial numbered nose cap and forend which was not done on the Long Lee's.

The receiver has a '05 armours inspection stamp by the dumb bell spring and the front sight has had the blade replaced with insert similar to the MLM Mk I* upgrade; the matching barrel regrettably is not dated.

The butt is marked to one of the rifle's original owners, "ML" (any idea's?) and also has the Indian Gov't property cartouche. If you look carefully you can slightly see the original butt cartouche to the left, unreadable unfortunately.

The magazine well has a metal loading plate installed and both sides of the forend have been patched to fill the hole caused by the trigger guard and magazine. One of these patches has disappeared, but its absence helps see how they converted it.

Information

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[RobD]

ML could be Madras Lancers, though they ceased to exist after 1903.

[SpikeDD]

A very interesting piece, Lance.... thanks for sharing.

[Surpmil]

I'll bet it wouldn't take the Peshawar filers long to have a mag fitted to that one.

[RJW NZ]

I bumped into this, thought you might be interested;
Collector's Source

scroll down to item NR 2933

is that the same as yours? or...?

[Lance]

nope, it is a kyber pass home made special, close though