''Never again'' Lee Metford Carbine project

[tatou]

Well just like i've learned never to say never when it comes to Lee Enfield's i should also know by now never to say i won't restore another one....

This found it's way to me and i could not resist the challenge, especially when i have almost all the bits for it. (more on this later...maybe...)

It's a 1894 Lee Metford Carbine MK I
Yes it's been abused and from a distance looks rough... but it has potential considering how ''rarer'' they are... especially with it's D loop still attached. The metal is in good condition.
Attachment 120506Attachment 120507Attachment 120508

Now the first things i am wondering from the get go (and i know it has been discussed lately but nothing was specific) is does anybody and who (if any) makes carbine clearing rods ?

And the second thing is does anybody has seen or have a vague idea what the numbers ''123'' on the right side of the butt socket could mean ? (i'm guessing unit or rack number but since they were usually on the brass disc, this confuses me...)
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Information

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[CanadianLanBoy]

Does it have a Ross front post?

[tatou]

Does it have a Ross front post?

Yes it does
But under it still has the flat spot where the Metford front sight was brazed on.

[CanadianLanBoy]

Yes it does
But under it still has the flat spot where the Metford front sight was brazed on.

That's mad haha.

I'm currently restoring a LEC MK1 from a sporter. Luckily, none of the original parts except for the wood was ****ed with, of course this includes the forend hardware. Luckily, Ross Rifle Restoration offers a stock set for these rifles, as I'm nowhere near skilled enough to fabricate one myself.

Good luck with your rifle.

[tatou]

That's mad haha.

I'm currently restoring a LEC MK1 from a sporter. Luckily, none of the original parts except for the wood was ****ed with, of course this includes the forend hardware. Luckily, Ross Rifle Restoration offers a stock set for these rifles, as I'm nowhere near skilled enough to fabricate one myself.

Good luck with your rifle.

Mad is the word .... my guess is someone installed that front sight to mate with a rear peep sight (see the two hole at the back of the receiver)
If this one had been a regular LEC i would probably have passed it to the next guy lol.
I'm glad at least yours escaped bubba. (the metal at least)

I'm fortunate enough to have a front sight left over from a project that went south a few years back.... seems i was destined to fix this one instead.
I de-sporterized another LEC a couple of years back... (before RRR made his stocks) and had to splice a front tip and fabricate a handguard by hand.
Not this time haha...i inquired for a stock set myself. Although, being a LMC i will still have to do some work myself. Here it is.
Attachment 120510

[smle addict]

Well Tatou, if anyone can restore that carbine, it's you! The work you've previously posted shows us that carbine is in the best of hands.

If you find a source for repro clearing rods, let me know; I'm in need of two.

Best of luck, and looking forward to the results!

[tatou]

Well Tatou, if anyone can restore that carbine, it's you! The work you've previously posted shows us that carbine is in the best of hands.

If you find a source for repro clearing rods, let me know; I'm in need of two.

Best of luck, and looking forward to the results!

Thank you
Been super busy on home renos all summer... i'm now just starting to get ''back in the game'' slowly.
I'm still working on the P13, the RIC and now this one.
Damn....I was hoping YOU knew someone hahaha.
Oh well, someone else might know.... worse case i'll try asking someone i know to have a go at it.
Stay close ''smle addict'' i might bother you for a few measurements on the positioning of the sling bar.

[smle addict]

No problem; the carbines are in an easily accessible spot in the gunsafe, should you need some measurements.

[martins8589]

That's mad haha.

I'm currently restoring a LEC MK1 from a sporter. Luckily, none of the original parts except for the wood was ****ed with, of course this includes the forend hardware. Luckily, Ross Rifle Restoration offers a stock set for these rifles, as I'm nowhere near skilled enough to fabricate one myself.

Good luck with your rifle.

Hello, would upi be able to provide a contact or link to Ross Rifle Restoration please as I also have a sporter carbine to restore. Cheers. Martin.

[Gil Boyd]

Tatou,
Well it could be, it was issued to the 123rd Cavalry Regiment, which would explain such a pronounced 123 stamp and the D ring, albeit the rifle is stamped 1894!

The 3rd Infantry, Kentucky National Guard, which served in WW2 as a part of the 38th Division, was re-organized in 1919 as the 53rd and 54th Machine Gun Squadron, in April, 1929, they redesignated the 123rd Cavalry.