Cleaning rod for a 1896 MLE Enfield rifle

[roccosimone]

Can anybody supply me with detailed measurements and specs so that l can make a repro cleaning rod(s) for my 1896 MLE Enfield? I would be interested in buying an original or very good repro rod(s) also. Hope you can help me. Thanks Sam

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Madzi]

Hope this is of use - rod measurements for my 1895 Volunteer pattern. Rod is missing the jag/tip, but got one on order from Darren at FSS in New Zealand. He may be able to do the whole rod for you (although his standard rods seem to be shorter than mine?). If you do want to go down the DIY route, photos attached and measurements are:
Length: 26"5/8
Diameter: 3/16"

Slight guesswork on the threads, but you can count and extrapolate from the 3/16 diameter on the photos. My estimate is circa 10 tpi for the well-end and 18 tpi for the jag-end (not sure if anyone has better measurements). Or confirm on the wellend by removing the wood from your rifle.

[Terrylee]

Being dated 1896 the rifle is obviously a Magazine Lee Enfield Mk I. As such the clearing rod is 17.25 inches long. Unlike the earlier rods for the Lee Metford Mk I these had to be used on a budy-budy basis with two being joined together before being long enough. Some years ago I made several dozen of these in both the rifle and carbine lengths. It is important to note that the head incorporates a female thread to enable joining. The thread is 3/16 X 26 W.
I attach two photos. The first shows rifle and carbine rods, two separated and two joined together. The second is a close-up of the two rod ends + the necessary taps and die.

Attachment 118352Attachment 118353

[Alan de Enfield]

Being dated 1896 the rifle is obviously a Magazine Lee Enfield Mk I. As such the clearing rod is 17.25 inches long. Unlike the earlier rods for the Lee Metford Mk I these had to be used on a budy-budy basis with two being joined together before being long enough. Some years ago I made several dozen of these in both the rifle and carbine lengths. It is important to note that the head incorporates a female thread to enable joining. The thread is 3/16 X 26 W.
I attach two photos. The first shows rifle and carbine rods, two separated and two joined together. The second is a close-up of the two rod ends + the necessary taps and die.

Attachment 118352Attachment 118353

I thought that seemed an 'odd' thread,

3/16" Whitworth is normally 24TPI

[muffett.2008]

BSF IS 26TPI
WOOPS meant Brass. which is whitworth threadform

[Enfieldlock]

BSF IS 26TPI
WOOPS meant Brass. which is whitworth threadform

I believe the thread is 26-1/3TPI. This is the Parker-Hale thread used on cleaning rods.

[Terrylee]

I have both original British clearing rods and Parker Hale cleaning rods. Also the appropriate LM and LE rifles. While the Parker Hale thread is incompatible, the 3/16 X 26 Whitworth works perfectly on my reproductions.

[AlexRod85]

If you want cleaning rod you can use RADCOLUBE gun oil is currently being use in combat operations by the U.S Military so i guess that would help.