Canadian 1895 Lee Metford Mk 1 Carbine

I thought folks might like to see the newest member of the family. I stumbled across this last night and picked it up today. It’s still just the way I found it. The wood is in good clean condition. The metal has some surface rust, but I think it will clean up very well. The bore remains to be seen. It is very dirty but the rifling is very strong. In fact, it is probably the strongest metford rifling I have ever seen and I initially mistook it for enfield rifling.

It is an 1895 Lee Metford Mk 1 Carbine with the D-ring stud removed (presumably an arsenal modification.
All the numbers, bolt included, match with a 5xxx A number.
It has the correct 5-shot magazine with the loop for the keeper (terminology?).
On the heel of the buttplate are the broadarrow over WD, and a crown over “24”over “E”
On the rightside of the butt is M&D over 1895 over 177 which, for the time being, I am assuming is a rack number.
There are opposing broadarrows on the receiver ring and knoxform – which I understand signifies release from military stores.
The disc is stamped R.C.A. (Royal Canadian Artillery) and 8. Based on some very brief research, I believe the 8 is the 8th regiment, which I understand was stationed in Gananoque Quebec in 1895.
Again based on very brief research, I understand there were 500 Lee Metford Mk 1 Carbines shipped to Canada in 1895, and I believe this is likely one of them.

What is missing?
Upper and lower forestock wood: This should be an easy restoration since I can make the splices under the band. I am hoping I can salvage enough wood out of a scrap No 1 butt with matching grain and color.
Keeper for forearm band (terminology?): I may be able to find one but, if anybody has good photos next to ruler or tape measure, I could likely make one. If anybody happens to know where I may be able to find one …………..
Nosecap: Hens teeth and rocking horse s**t! The last time I did a restoration, Elliot Campbell (bless his heart) lent me one so I could get the forearm profile right. I never did find one. Not sure what I will end up doing this time. Any suggestions?
Magazine keeper loop: Should be an easy replacement.

I am by no means a military scholar and welcome input and correction from any and all.
Does anyone have the serial number range for Lee Metford Carbines shipped to Canada in 1895?
By the way, I found an unused 1982 provincial deer tag in the butt trap.

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Originally Posted by Bluenoser

I believe the 8 is the 8th regiment, which I understand was stationed in Gananoque Quebec in 1895.

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A couple of corrections: It should be - I believe the 8 is the No. 8 Gananoque Field Battery, which I understand was stationed in Gananoque, Ontario in 1895.

Serial number range for the Canadian LMC has never been researched to my knowledge. My girl #292 is 5571A and still retains its D-ring. From my records rifle #277 is s/n 5644A, #497 is s/n 5771A.

Lance,
Thank you for your reply. It looks like you can add one more Canadian LMC to your records. Rifle # 177 is s/n 5837A. Based on your known examples, and assuming all 500 were sequentially numbered, one could surmise the lowest possible s/n in the group is 5338A and the highest possible s/n is 6076A. That's a possible range of 739 s/n's for 500 rifles if I haven't drifted off into left field.

Thanks also for posting the photos of your LMC. It's a beauty. This is the first time I have had an opportunity to view a D ring.

Bluenoser,

Splice is the best way to go and your lucky that someone made the cut there, as for the spring retainer for the band I will get a pic up when home (few days away) mine is a cast copy that I intend to copy one day, the nose caps were available and are excellent, someone needed a few but had to get twenty or so made I,ll need to find his email and will PM you it. Not sure if he has any left as there was a few interested members here who made a purchase.

bigduke6,

Thanks for your input. I am a firm believer in always preserving as much of the original as possible. Consequently, I splice whenever I can. On this one, I intend to also splice out the hand guard. I know I really lucked out on this one - more than you might realize. Since it was cut immediately in front of the band, I have the forearm and handguard profiles ahead of the band. If memory serves me correctly (getting on in years and it does get a little fuzzy at times), the forearm and handguard profiles remain unchanged from the band to the cap. I will most likely have to do the job without a nosecap in hand, so that is important. I will probably leave just a little extra wood at the muzzle end.

I would be most appreciative if you would post photos of your spring retainer. What would work best for me is top view, side view and end view from each end - each with a tape measure or scale in the photo for sizing. I think I can forge and file one out without too much difficulty. The nosecap is another kettle of fish. I have a good drill press, plenty of files and time, and access to a lathe, and may end up giving it a try out of desperation, but hold little hope of success. Especially since I only have photos to go by. I would be most interested if repros became available.

By the way, did I mention I ultimately need 3 spring retainers, 3 nosecaps and 2 bands:eek:?

I also have an LEC1 that has been cut back behind the band and another LEC1 barreled action sans bolt that I would like to put right some day.

I think there is a KIWI connection for the nose caps and furniture.

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Originally Posted by Bindi2

I think there is a KIWI connection for the nose caps and furniture.

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That's were all my bits come from.

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Originally Posted by Bindi2

I think there is a KIWI connection for the nose caps and furniture.

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Could you direct me to the source?

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Originally Posted by Bluenoser

Could you direct me to the source?

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They post here at times. There is a thread back a bit about nose caps etc. Sorry cant be any better help than that.
Also check GunBoards.

Bindi2,
Will do. Thanks for the tip.

The first order of business was replacing the D-ring, which I finished yesterday.

I would like to extend a heart felt thank you to Lance. Without his posting a photo in an earlier reply and provision of measurements through multiple PMs, this would not have been possible.

The next step is restoration of the forearm. Thanks to the assistance of other members of the forum, I have a reproduction nose cap on the way. I still have to obtain a band retainer or measured drawings/photos.

I forgot about the retainer spring, I,ll dig it tomorrow, I guess the nose cap is form the chap in NZ ?

bigduke,
Thanks - I didn't intend to pressure you. I figured you would get to it when you had time. It will be a while before I am ready for it.
Yes, the nose cap is coming from the chap in NZ. He strikes me as being a first class chap. I am getting a nose cap for each of my carbine projects.
Thanks again for the lead.