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After many years of hunting and several months of waiting for export from Canada, the new rifle has finally arrived and boy was it worth the wait. Rifle is an all matching, unmodified 1890-dated Sparkbrook Magazine Lee-Metford Mk I, complete with Lewes sights, thumbs safety, and unmolested handguard.
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Nice! Very nice!. What a find!
Thanks! I was lucky to find it! It’s always amazing some of the rifles that pop up from time to time
What a nice looking rifle...nice catch.
Very, Very nice, and very rare in unaltered condition
Awesome, but why such a long wait for an antique?
The auction house no longer ships antique firearms internationally and requires use of an exporter. The cost and delay weren’t inconsiderable. Aggravating, but worth it in the end.
Great find!! Congratulations!!
She's a real peach. I can't get over what exemplary condition she's in. Most of the early rifles I've come across tend to be pretty well travelled, with pitting along the barrel/wood line, pitting of the edges of the butt socket, worn out rifling etc. This one looks really crisp. Nice find!
Thanks Roger! I've gotten lucky with my Metfords overall. I'll have to take a family photo once I'm home from this trip
Got around to getting the LM family photo together. Top to bottom: 1890 Sparkbrook MLM Mk I, Lee-Speed MLM Mk I (no manufacturer markings), 1891 Sparkbrook MLM Mk I*, LSA Lee-Speed MLM Mk II, 1894 RSAF Enfield LMC Mk I
The interesting thing about Metford rifling is that it looks "worn-out" straight from the factory.
Yeah, I won a couple of these rifles at auctions with "poor, worn, but bright bores". It's not worn, just Metford!
Let there be light.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce_in_Oz
Which is why the Lee Metforfd rifles ony manage to last a few years and the Lee Enfield lasted about 100 years.
Once 'hot burning' cordite came on stream the Metford barrels quickly burnt out and the Enfield barrel quickly replaced them.