Canadian Lee Enfield Cavalry Carbine

[K31]

Does anyone know how many of these were issued? I saw a picture of NWMP carrying them, looked like standard CC's but they had swivels installed. The picture was in one of PIERRE BERTON's books about the goldrush. Anybody have one of these carbines?

Information

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[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

[bootneck]

Hello,
I've got one LEC 1896 serial number 11
cheers
bootneck

[buffdog]

This is a RNWMP 1896 LEC. Unfortunately, fore-end cut. The holes in the stock and fore-end were typical where rawhide leather ties were used for sling attachment. The holes under the sight were from removal of the buttons that secured the leather sight cover.

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This Carbine was issued to "D" Division, which was Southern Alberta and Southeastern British Columbia at the time. Serial number is in the 40-50 range. The M & D is Militia and Defence.
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[boltaction]

I have two LEC's and an LMC with Canadian M&D markings, and 1 LEC and 1 LMC without. The Canadian marked LEC's are SN 777a and 2329--the latter is also stamped to the RNWMP. The LMC which has M&D markings is nice, as it has the "D" ring swivel on the butt socket still--most were ground off.

BA

[bigduke6]

I have two LEC's and an LMC with Canadian M&D markings, and 1 LEC and 1 LMC without. The Canadian marked LEC's are SN 777a and 2329--the latter is also stamped to the RNWMP. The LMC which has M&D markings is nice, as it has the "D" ring swivel on the butt socket still--most were ground off.

BA

Boltaction, Can you post any pics?

[Warren]

Dave's book DEFENDING THE DOMINION by D. Edgecomb,is an absolute must to any serious collector of Lee Enfields or Canadian rifles. The book is a masterpiece of data and he spent years researching it at the national archives, where I first met him. It is done as only a Brigadier General with a degree in Engineering would do: perfection...
It is the best $50.00 you will spend, in my opinion.
Remember; "buy a gun, buy a book"

[saddler]

This is a RNWMP 1896 LEC. Unfortunately, fore-end cut. The holes in the stock and fore-end were typical where rawhide leather ties were used for sling attachment. The holes under the sight were from removal of the buttons that secured the leather sight cover.


https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../09/0101-1.jpg
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https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../09/0061-1.jpg
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This Carbine was issued to "D" Division, which was Southern Alberta and Southeastern British Columbia at the time. Serial number is in the 40-50 range. The M & D is Militia and Defence.
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Wonder why they never used it with the correct Cavalry Carbine Sling? It just fits over the stock, no holes or swivels required...

[buffdog]

Sorry, I might not have been clear on what I intended.

I would say that my Carbine was probably original when in service with the RNWMP. It was probably sold as surplus, and the civilian owner(s) (or Bubba's Grandfather) then cut the forestock down, and removed the studs for the leather sight cover.

The holes were probably then drilled in the butt stock and the forestock so that rawhide leather straps could be attached through them and the rifle carried that way.

I have seen other Canadian pieces modified like this, and in a way it makes sense. With towns few and far between on the Canadian frontier, and gunsmiths even more rare, it would have been fairly simple to drill a hole through the wood stock of a rifle. Leather was readily available, so a sling could be fashioned and the ends fastened after threading it through a hole.

The principal mode of transportation was the horse. Therefore, some kind of sling or attachment was used to carry the rifle on the horse, or on the rider. Riding horses of the period were generally not as well trained as they are today, and might even be referred to as a bit wild and "salty." To be caught without a weapon, (and particularly a rifle) on the plains could easily result in one's death, so the sling for carrying a rifle on a person's body was probably preferred for the civilian or native man of the day.
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