LEC mkI help, info needed

Well the stars have again come together in a somewhat favourable configuration for me. A poor homeless sporterized LEC mkI is now en route to my abode. And quite coincidentally at the same time from a long forgotten box in someone's basement a LEC nosecap and mid band surface, and a quick bit of dealing later they too are destined for my door.

Can anyone here help with some good images details and accurate information that would help in reuniting these bits in a proper restoration.

I can't answer too many questions as of yet as neither are in my possession, but what I can say of that the rifle is a mkI dated 1899. It does have an early style rear swivel that may have been a part of a RIC conversion, or simply by the same token, just as likely to have been added when the rifle was sporterized. The nosecap and mid band are early mkI (or possibly mkI* to be honest I don't know yet if it has the hole for a cleaning rod, but I dealt for it regardless) There are no discernible markings on the ID disk (or at least on the currently visible side in photographs).

Gary

Restoration is dependent on what type of LEC you are getting as you know. If you have pictures of the front sight that would let us know what model you have.

A standard LEC/LMC has a standard front MLE front sight profile

A RIC LEC has a standard front sight profile with a bushing added to the end of the barrel to be able to attach a bayonet

A NZ Pattern LEC has a thicker barrel with an earlier Martini Enfield style front sight with wing protectors.

Bits and pieces for the all the carbines come up from time to time with the exception of the forend wood and handguards.

Chatting with Gary yesterday allowed me to become interested in knowing more about this interesting rifle. I found a site with a few good pics of a restored one: ht tp://www.pbase.com/mrclark/lee_enfield_carbine

ok here is the seller's picture of the rifle, it appears to be lacking the bushed muzzle, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the NZ carbines with the larger bbl were all 1902, this being 1899 leads me to think late production standard LEC.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...g?t=1244295139

Here is the nose cap I am getting. I can't tell if it has the hole for the cleaning rod or not, but we'll see when it gets here I suppose. I was under the impression that this was the earliest pattern of LEC nosecap with the RIC being shortened and converted for the 1888 bayonet, and the NZ was supposed to take the 1888 bayo without the muzzle bushing. was I wrong?

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...g?t=1244295944

You're not wrong, that is an early LEC nosecap and band set as you surmise.

The hardest part will be to get viable wood.

I wonder how off the chart a No1Mk3 forend would be as a starting point to recreate the LEC forend...

And I wonder where Weimakack found that carbine! :)

Lou I just so happen to have a nice English walnut mkIII forearm just sitting around at the moment, mind you the brass cross pin is different on the SMLE.

Have some photos of my NZ LEC MK1* 1902 I could E-mail to you if you like?

any and all would be great.

danddracing@sasktel.net

It has the hole Gary, forgot to tell you, they are in the mail. Also, band has the correct solid screw. Can't wait to see what the end product looks like!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by granite

It has the hole Gary, forgot to tell you, they are in the mail. Also, band has the correct solid screw. Can't wait to see what the end product looks like!

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Thanks Granite. I can't wait either, but I'm afraid it may take a while. I'm going to basic for three months at the end of July, and then there's MOC training, and relocating the family and all my sh!#. I've been talking to rebuilder extraordinaire Lou about taking this one on with me and doing the actual work as I'll be otherwise occupied for the better part of a year.

And I'm not saying I'll be rushing this one, it deserves careful steps!

(Mind you I never rush)

Lou

(Thanks for the praise Gary, I'm not worthy :) )