Just how far can you modify an enfield?

Yes, there are written records regarding the change from one piece to two piece fore-ends for the 'new' Lee Metfords

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Originally Posted by Jc5

Thanks for posting! Did you get any more photos of this oddity before it sold?


1) It reminds me a bit of the M1899 Remington Lee, the last of the American Lees(photos attached). In America, the Lees always kept the one-piece stock. The M1899 had front-locking lugs, thus sidestepping the criticism most often heard against the Lees. I suspect that with a bit more development, this version could have become a successful challenger to the Mauser. However, the US was still in love with lever actions in this era and bolt actions would not become popular among hunters until after WWI.

2) Bruce, where can we learn more about the Canadian J5550 experimental rifle?

3) Peter, do you know if there are any written records of the committee that made the decision to go with the 2-piece stock for the Lee Metford? I would love to read in their own words the considerations they made.

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I'm with you, this is quite an interesting area.

re pics, I'll look for more, it was inside a show and as usual privacy issues control taking pics. If I find other pics on my files I'll post them.

Try Ian Skennerton's "The Lee-Enfield": big book for a big subject.

Quite a bit on the J5550 in there, including a full-page colour spread.

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Yes, there are written records regarding the change from one piece to two piece fore-ends for the 'new' Lee Metfords

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Any leads on where to find this, or what the document might be called?

Bruce, I feel like a dunce---I found the section on the J5550 right there in Skennerton, in the North American Production chapter. I never have paid as much attention to the No.4 series as I should and it didn't stick in my memory.

The trials reports are here and presumably at the old Pattern room