My other CLLE just came in.

Now I've got two of them. Gotta get a third to be able to hook them together by the stacking swivel. Anyway, I just wanted to share these pictures of the two of them. One was made in 1899 and the other in 1896. They are just 257 serial numbers apart however. All stampings and proofs are sharp and clear. Never been sanded or cleaned. Perfect bores too! One has the early magazine with the tab that swivels. Both have the magazine well for it. OK, that's all for show and tell then for now.https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...08/CLLE2-1.jpg https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...08/CLLE1-1.jpg https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gifhttps://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

Man....If those rifles could talk....


218bee

Congratulations!

Who were the manufacturers of each? Could you share the markings on the RH side of the butt socket?

They were both made by Enfield. One in 1899 and the other in 1896. Both were updated in 1908 at Vickers Machinegun Co. to accept stripper clips of 303 Mk VII ammo. They were also given special rear sights that were more advanced for the time. Platinum lines below the sight notches to more easily aquire the target, adjustment knobs for incremental lateral adjustment (drift), protective ears on either side of the front sight. an updated front sight for more accurate shooting, a rear sight graduating out to 1900 yards for the updated Mk VII round. They both have a Volley Sight and Magazine Cut Off. Both started out as a MLE Mk I and then were updated to the Mk I* and then to a CLLE (Charger loading Long Lee Enfield).

Unknown CLLE carbine - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

Ya, a third rifle will allow you to hook three together by their piling swivels. But there wiould be a problem in that if you want to shoot one of them, the other two will no longer stand up on thier own. I suggest that you get a fourth one to allow you to keep them out of the dirt.

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Originally Posted by englishman_ca

Ya, a third rifle will allow you to hook three together by their piling swivels. But there wiould be a problem in that if you want to shoot one of them, the other two will no longer stand up on thier own. I suggest that you get a fourth one to allow you to keep them out of the dirt.

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I like the way you think! :super:

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Originally Posted by Fred G.

They were both made by Enfield. One in 1899 and the other in 1896. Both were updated in 1908 at Vickers Machinegun Co. to accept stripper clips of 303 Mk VII ammo. They were also given special rear sights that were more advanced for the time. Platinum lines below the sight notches to more easily aquire the target, adjustment knobs for incremental lateral adjustment (drift), protective ears on either side of the front sight. an updated front sight for more accurate shooting, a rear sight graduating out to 1900 yards for the updated Mk VII round. They both have a Volley Sight and Magazine Cut Off. Both started out as a MLE Mk I and then were updated to the Mk I* and then to a CLLE (Charger loading Long Lee Enfield).

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Correction, the new rifle appears to have a rear sight that only goes to 1800 yards, a variation 2 magazine meant for Mk VI ammunition with the heavy round nose and the feed ramp in the magazine well isn't grooved for the Mk VII ammo, but retains it's Mk VI configuration. In addition, the variation 2 magazine has VSM stamped on it in tiny letters indicating that it was made by Vickers Machinegun, who marked the rifle with VSM after converting it to a Charger Loader.

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Originally Posted by englishman_ca

Ya, a third rifle will allow you to hook three together by their piling swivels. But there wiould be a problem in that if you want to shoot one of them, the other two will no longer stand up on thier own. I suggest that you get a fourth one to allow you to keep them out of the dirt.

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Well, after I jokingly ran that idea by the Memsaab, she bought me two more Long Lee's! One is an LSA, MkI Lee Speed target rifle with the original cleaning rod still with it and the other is a BSA MLE MKI* with NZ markings on the butt tang and H.G (home Guard) stamped on top of the wrist, both in fantastic condition and perfect bores. The Lee Speed has a Parker's 9.G target sight thrown in that attaches to the left side of the receiver. Thanks for the friendly suggestion! I'll post a picture on here as soon as I can get my hands on a camera. Cheers! :beerchug:

Out of curiosity, where are you located that CLLE's are falling out of the woodwork?

Nebraska. The last two were being sold by a collector who lives just 15 miles from me. Upon contacting him via email, he called me and invited us out to where he keeps his collection. Upon entering, I was stunned by the quantity of a collection that was the result of 35 years. Every model and type of Enfield was represented. I mean every model and type. He even had a type that is mentioned as no specimen being known to still exist. There were racks that ran along the entire length of the walls within one of the rooms, above and below, two levels. Nearly Every nitch was full. While I was trying to decide which one of the two he was selling we could afford, if any, my wife asked him how much he'd take for both of them. I was stunned. A deal was made with an extra target sight and a type 3 magazine thrown in. The price was Very reasonable. Knowing what they somtimes go for, I couldn't afford to pass them up. Ain't she sumthin?

VSM is "Vickers, Sons & Maxim".

Congrats on the finds! Did you ask him what he wants for the whole collection?

Certainly not. One day, when he's an old man, he might consider liquidating it all for a vast sum. But you can see that his love for it all has driven him to perfection in finding everything there is. As he said, He doesn't sell to the public. He collects because he has a passion to do so. I just stepped up at the right moment when he was willing to cull his collection of some duplicates. He graciously invited me to come back again any time to chew the fat and look at his collection. I learned more in one visit than I'd ever learned before about Enfields.

I see, thanks for the clarification. Saw an absolutely beautiful BSA commercial CLLE at a local show today, the finest condition I have ever seen on a rifle of that age and completely original.

I sure wish I had the money to buy them whenever they show up at the local collector shows. Sigh...:crying:

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Originally Posted by englishman_ca

Ya, a third rifle will allow you to hook three together by their piling swivels. But there wiould be a problem in that if you want to shoot one of them, the other two will no longer stand up on thier own. I suggest that you get a fourth one to allow you to keep them out of the dirt.

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https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tackarms-1.jpg

Here ya go, You're so right, four makes better sense than two when it comes to Long Lee Enfields!
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...urrifles-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...y4rifles-1.jpg

I think the dog's nose and paw in the last picture must represent the "British Bulldog?" :)

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Originally Posted by Amatikulu

I think the dog's nose and paw in the last picture must represent the "British Bulldog?" :)

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https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...09/Niles-1.jpg

American Bulldog. His name is Niles. But he understands the Kings English!