CLLE Mk1* restoration project - range pattern rifle specs of original length?

Hi there

I would appreciate your opinions on the following issue I have in trying to restore a Enfield marked CLLE Mk1*. Somewhre in the past the CLLE that I own has had its barrel cut down so that it is shorter than a SMLE barrel (about 1.5 - 2 inches shorter if I was to guess), but it still retains it original rear sight (not sure about the front sight though, as I can't seem to find much information on the type of front sight that they would have had).

Anyway, I have manged to aquire a NZ range pattern rifle stock that has provision for a charger bridge, so I have used that stock on my existing CLLE for the time being (see photos).

My delema is as follows:

Do I replace the original, but shortened enfield barrel on the CLLE with another enfield marked barrel which I own (that has also been previously shortend to comply with range pattern specs) so that I will end up with a enfield marked CLLE in range pattern configuration, or should go the all out and replace the barrel with an original length MLE barrel (most likely BSA manufacture) and either get the stock lenghten or lengthen another cut down stock that I own?

Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

How does it shoot as is? I kind of like the way it looks as it's set up now. Of the two ptions you mentioned my vote would be to go with making the Enfield marked CLLE in range pattern configuration.

How many range pattern rifles do you have? If two, then I would make one a full length CLLE Mk I*.


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I love range rifles, and that looks real nice.

Hi there,
I love range rifles too, but I'm fairly new to these, as I live in the middle of Canada. We got relatively few early Lee's, and as a result, I'm constructing a couple for myself from bits and pieces with help from a friend in N.Z., and some bits from ebay.
As a result I find your question very interesting, as to what really constitutes a range pattern rifle.
I have seen a few forms, the kind you picture here, usually with a 25.2 inch Barrel to meet the maximum length rules, for competition, was there a minimum? and to allow bayonet fitting. Your rifle looks great as it is, unless you want to fit a bayonet.
The next kind is the:- what I'm referring to as the fulton's kind, A definition I'm using from another website, so don't hang me for it. This uses the Variation one, Mk1 smle nose cap, and full wood all the way back to the receiver. I've also seen this style, but with iron sights cut into it, much like a mauser.
Lastly the minimalist or sportster style, with small forestock wood, just enough left to hold on to, and a sling swivel attached either to either the wood, or the barrel directly, via a barrel band and swivel. Often highly engraved and very expensive, or cheap and crappy. I've seen a few popping up in Canada lately, mainly on the west coast, but at auctions here in Ontario too. These could be some of our own sportster/hunting/target rifles I don't Know.
This last kind I've grouped in for the sake of discussion as some have some very serious pedigrees, both as sporting and target rifles.
I personally like the first two types, not so much the last, but I admire the work that went into them, from a time which will never come again. Personally I don't think the barrel being a little shorter or longer changes anything about a rifle Yours is very cool, with nice lines and if it shoots well, it's as worthy of restoration, as any. My personal two cents worth.
So to define my question, expanding on yours. What is A Range rifle, they seem to have a cross over military use, but would this be called a requirement. That being the case, some of the early snipers rifles in use, on both sides were based on sportster or hunting style rifles, belonging to the Officers.
I have also purchased a set of Mues sights with an effective home made bracket, that enables, I am supposing an enlisted man, to be able to quickly attach them and detach them to a standard No1 mk3 rifle. Used during WW1 I was told, then later on, in use on the Australian range.
Although, I see there is a formal definition in Skennerton's book, the actual scope of this type of rifle seems quite varied.
Much like cafe racers or those 'orrible chopper's for motorcyclists, or Hot rod's for car guy's. I'm sure the discussion should be quite similar.
On the length of barrel thing, I was recently told (re a No4), that shortening a standard smle barrel an inch or two makes for a very inaccurate rifle. That has not been my observation, and someone in Canada made an awfull lot of these rifles like this. People who have shot them, that I've asked didn't report any problems, a popular Deer gun here. How does yours shoot?
I saw a rifle of this kind yesterday, albeit with a custom barrel, on a LE1 action with Bisley sights, around A 22-24 inches long barrel and it had belonged to one of our famous marksmen, I doubt it was in-accurate.

Regards Ian