1898 Lee Enfield Cavalry Carbine

Hello,

I figure this is the place to post up about my 1898 Lee Enfield. I was in Cape Breton this wekend visting my father and we decided to go through the family gun collection. I am trying to figure out as much as I can about this one right now. Its been in the family for 50+ years! I think it's a Canadian military Cavalry Carbine MK1? Any input or advice on where to look for more info on this guns history .... I am hoping to get some more detailed pics and info soon.

Cheers,
Ian

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2_204933-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2_204957-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2_205033-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2_205050-1.jpg

Sorry for the low RES pics .... I didn't really know where to look and what to record when I took them.

That´s one I definitely would like to have!

Very nice. Yes, wait a minute and you'll get the phone book on this one. There are a few that collect just this very thing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Very nice. Yes, wait a minute and you'll get the phone book on this one. There are a few that collect just this very thing.

---

Thanks guys! I am really mpresed with its condition .... the pictures don't do it justice.

BTW Jim ..... we also have a 1904-A Belgium FN Browning A5 12 gauge. I figure by your screen name that might be something you could appreciate. :thup:

I do, but mine refers to the browning automatic rifle...but the auto shotguns are nearly artwork. At least the early ones are...

Yeah I messed the rifle part ... my bad. Lol.

Does MILSURPS have a sub-forum where I could post up the A5? Its a beautiful old gun as well!

---------- Post added at 04:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:46 PM ----------

I found another thread with some info on the Canadian Calvary Carbine. :cool:


Canadian Lee Enfield Cavalry Carbine

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lance

Canada received 500 LMC's in 1895, they received 2,300 LEC's in 1896-7 and another 2,200 in one order and a final 300 in the second order in 1898-9. Some of these were issued to the NWMP. If you need to know the fine details just let me know. Best bet is to buy "Defending the Dominion, Canadian Military Rifles 1855-1955" by David Edgecombe

---

Interesting that it still has the "clearing" rod. In Brit service, at least, the rod was "deleted" in 1899 and the carbines subsequently made were designated "1*".

Maybe this one "fell off the back of a truck / covered wagon" very early in life.

Give where it "lived" and the extent of "patina", was this one ever used "shark repellant" on a fishing boat?

NICE score!!

That is the second time someone has mentioned the rarity of the "clearing rod" .... we had no idea.

The gun came from my great uncle ... and he was not a fisherman. He was one of only a handful of film projector technicians in the Canadian Maritimes back in the day. We are guessing he picked it up during his travels in the mid 50's.

The butt does have some markings in the wood, but i don't have a great picture of them .... I will post what I do have though.

Unfortunately the rifle is 4.5 hrs from my home/work al though I may make another trip down soon to get some better detailed pics and serial numbers.

Ian

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...205355_1-1.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Heli-Mech

a sub-forum where I could post up the A5

---

Maybe in the off topics forum? That one should bear it up OK.

Does anyone know what the "crown emblem" & VR stamped above the 1898 date represents?

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2_205033-1.jpg

I have been reading up on the MILSURPS advisory panel .... that is such a great idea/service!

I hope to get a bunch of better HD pics and submit it for review in the near future.:)

The crown is an indication that the rifle was in military service. All rifles accepted into military service have the crown stamped on them. The V.R. is for the reigning monarch at the time of manufacture. In this case it stands for Victoria Regina.

Is the brass stock disc blank? If so, I suggest gently remove it and check whether the other side has a unit marking... you never know!

The disc is blank ... I will have my father remove it carefully and inspect for markings.

Where would u find the other serial numbers on the rifle ...... I would like to see if it's a numbers matching item but am a Noob/Amateur at this.

Ian

The picture of the Butt Stock shows some markings:

M&D is "Militia and Defense" - showing Canadian military ownership - I don't remember the period that M&D was used but I'm sure someone will chime in.
Below that is a roundel showing manufacture at the Enfield factory.
To the side, the two facing broad arrows are known aas the "sold out of service" marking showing the weapon was sold by the military to the civilian market.

Serial numbers are normally found on both the barrel and receiver ring on the right hand side. The rear facing side of the bolt handle is another place marked with the serial number. Finally, the rear sight leaf may also carry the serial number on the underside of the leaf.

Well I walked my father through a few steps over the phone and got some more info on the ..... it is indeed a numbers matching rifle! :D

- Breach SN# 6051
- Barrel SN# 6051
- Bolt SN# 6051
- Volley SN# 6051

We even discovered it has the original oiling can with the lid screwdriver & fabric in the butt ...... unfortunatly the fabric fell apart in his had as he reomoved it.

He is also going to try and get me some better pictures of the all the other markings & proofs he has found so far.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RobD

Is the brass stock disc blank? If so, I suggest gently remove it and check whether the other side has a unit marking... you never know!

---

The disc would not budge, the screw came out just fine ... but it is still stuck in the butt stock. It was worth a shot.

Ian

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Heli-Mech

- Volley SN# 6051

---

I had this mixed up and was referring to the rear sight. Rear Sight SN# 6051

Pics of the serial numbers, they had problems focusing on the bolt numbers.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...100_4879-1.jpg

And here is the oiling can. :thup:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...100_4883-1.jpg[/QUOTE]

Very nice untouched carbine!

I believe that your carbine is one of the three hundred mentioned previously, purchased by the Canadian Govt in fiscal year 1898/99. This batch of arms did not come directly from the factory, they were drawn from Army Stores to fill the order, hence the 'sold out of service' markings.

I also have a carbine dated 1898 and it has identical markings as those on yours with the exception on my serial number being 160A.

I found it in N.S.