Mystery Enfield

Well i did the typical collector thing when finding an old enfield in good repair and put it on layaway but i can't figure out what it is. It is an oldie, it fires Cordite 303 only it says on the side of it, I dont think it has volly or peep sights however there is the simple flip up graduated sight in front of the bolt. The Magazine is every small and hardly clears the front stock and does not exceed trigger housing in length. any help appreciated, as interesting a find i have no clue as to which one it is. Thanks.

P.S. would said .303 also be the model used in Breaker Morant?

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Originally Posted by EnfieldNutt84

Well i did the typical collector thing when finding an old enfield in good repair and put it on layaway but i can't figure out what it is. It is an oldie, it fires Cordite 303 only it says on the side of it, I dont think it has volly or peep sights however there is the simple flip up graduated sight in front of the bolt. The Magazine is every small and hardly clears the front stock and does not exceed trigger housing in length. any help appreciated, as interesting a find i have no clue as to which one it is. Thanks.

P.S. would said .303 also be the model used in Breaker Morant?

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Photos needed, or at least details on the stampings / markings on the butt socket, action and barrel.

Hmm, sounds like one of the carbines from your description but without photos or a better description it will be difficult to help.

Well, as Alan said, some more information would be helpful and perhaps some pics... ;)

Here's a link that will help you help us, so we can help you better. :thup:

What can you tell me about my rifle? (click here)

Here's a site provided by Amatikulu with some good information to bookmark for the future.

Lee Enfield Rifle Markings (click here)

Hope this helps somewhat... :)

Regards.
Badger

With the inscription "for cordite only" and flip up leaf sights on the barrel, it sounds like a commercial sporter to me. Maybe a Lee Speed?

It appears like the Lee Speed, altough the buttstock is a standard looking Enfield design, there is no checkering, and there is a bayonet Lug on the front of it. Lee Enfield Mk. 1 No. 1 is what it is listed as, it looks to be either this no 1 model I think which an old page from a manual depicts as an Officer's Carbine over the trade model. Will go down tomorrow and take pictures hopfully, thanks for the help thus far. Anyone know where to find cordite .303?

http://www.rifleman.org.uk/Images/Lee_speedBSAad.gif this image is of 3 Lees, the one in question has non checkering like trade model, however the bolt more closely matches the officers (forgot to notice for the checkering on the officers before go figure), unless the checkering was optional on an officers, if so this would be the one.

Minus the checkering this is what she looks like, I cant wait to get her home and get down to
the details.

Attachment 20403

Well, that is a very interesting carbine but doesn't exactly match any of the three shown. The most striking difference is the bolt handle which is not flattened as is typical on a carbine of that era.

The tang safety is a feature that facinates me.

Nice rifle :)

Would you mind telling us the price of the beast? I can't identify it as other than a desirable .303, but it looks beautiful, and I want one, and all the rest of them...
Don't you love the wood to metal fit of those older Metford types, they're over 100 year old and they appear to fit up like new. Just superb quality and craftsmanship.

Hi

Like the images in the link above, I have a reprint of an old (pre WW1) BSA catalogue and your carbine looks to me like their no. 3 'Trade Pattern' with perhaps a later, replacement bolt. All the carbines pictured have a flattened bolt in the catalogue. The original price is marked at 112/6...

However, BSA would fit their 'patent safety locking device' to any service pattern of BSA manufacture at an extra charge of 7/6... so perhaps the bolt set-up and sliding safety are original to this rifle.

Looks great in any case!

Kind regards

Mike

I agree with you totally, I always saw the No 4 as my favorite Enfield, but after I found this one, and caught first glimpse of it on delivery day, it has struck me as the most beautiful Enfield. I picked it up for cheap, the seller was worried that due to its age might be better to sell as complete parts gun to me for $119. An offer I could not refuse. I think the best way to compare the No 4 and the Speed Lee as far as looks is to call the No 4 a Jag Sedan, and the Speed Lee, an Aston Martin.

Thanks for the info, I was thinking its the trade model I think i found a random jpeg of the catalog a couple days ago and it became my saving grace. After I first annexed via layaway the rifle, not letting it sit to chance I couldnt get it out of my head couldnt figure out what it was. The Pic is actually not my one, my one doesnt have the checkering and th eBolt is original, but that was the closest image I could find of it, otherwise it is exact. Thanks for the help, if anyone knows where to find parts for it, I am tempted to find another stock and dress it up to AA Finish if Possible, if I were to find one and go all out instead of keep it perfect like this one, I would probably use a light grey parkerizing with a medium brown high gloss finish to the wood.

It looks like the BSA "No3 Military Trade Pattern" with the BSA Patent Safety Locking Device which was an optional extra for the No 3 & 4 military pattern carbines. The aditional price was 7/6 old money in their 1911 catalogue.

Really nice rifle

The wrist of the butt is nicely reduced.

The trade pattern #3 has a 21" barrel versus a 19" for #1&2.

Wow thanks for all the insight, a few days ago i was taking google to town and finding next to nothing. I will be posting pictures of it in a little bit.