Bruce
I will buy in.
Rifles sent into a Baltic country by the Brits.
This was in a thread some time back. I dont remember the whole story but it was very interesting to say the least.
Many British rifles were sold to Latvia between August 1921 to September 1923. I remember reading somewhere that 4,000 Lee Enfield Rifles were shipped as well as 15,000 P14's. There exists a picture of a Latvian soldier holding what appears to be a modified RIC which I'll post.
Those modified rifles and carbines are neat. Not just these two but the ones Turks did, Germany and so on. Very interesting and a collection all on their own.
That photo has been discussed on other forums previously.
It is usually described as showing "Soviet Partisans" on the North West Front.
Some variation on the CLLE. The sling modification would be a very unlikely thing to be have done in wartime to rifles captured from the Baltic republics. That suggests either the rifles were ex-White Army and reworked in the 1920s or 30s, or else the modification was done by one of the Baltic republics in that period.
It would be an interesting choice if purchased by one of the Baltic states considering there were millions of surplus SMLE's in store after WWI. Was the heavier barrel preferred or just the lower price of the older rifle?
Last edited by Surpmil; 04-24-2024 at 01:24 PM.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Post WW1,the Baltic states were "gifted" bought at the right price,a motley collection of goodies.
One of them, Lithuania, I think, ended up with a large stash of P-14 rifles, it .303.
They also received a quantity of ex-Imperial German Army Mh-08 and 08-15 machine guns, all in original 7.92 x 56 calibre.
And their uniforms were a mixed bag of "surplus" German stuff.
A bargain is a bargain.
The P-14s apparently received an additional rectangular brass "ID plate" on the butt.
A seriously "pre-loved" one of these went through a gun shop in Toowoomba, Queensland, about ten years ago. Background story between the Baltic and Australia is totally unknown Current disposition also unknown
Pic of Lithuanian troops attached.
I will dig a bit deeper for any more pix in a similar vein.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
The rifle shown is a Latvian Cavalry carbine.
One of 2250 made in around 1922 in Britain.
The carbines are made from CLLE actions and assortment of parts, such as the Patt: 14 front sight ears, etc
The stocks are designed after the Mosin Nagant.
I did a large photo essay on one several years ago however if it cannot be found I will do it again.
I only know of one, possibly two in Canada and two in the museum in Riga Latvia, where due to translation problems it was listed as a Ross rifle.
The Latvians received a goodly number from the British in the 1920's among other interesting items such as the Patt:14 sniper with a home designed mount.
PM
