Magazine Loading Lee Metford MK I*

[pzjgr]

I acquired this a few years ago, and haven't been on this board in a while, and thought I'd jump back in here by posting, I figure it will be off interest to this board...

So, a gentleman I know wanted to show me a group of old rifles he was looking to sell, and the one that really jumped out at me was some sort of Enfield, which I couldn't figure out...it had issues, I asked him to hold on to it for me until I could research it...

Quick online searching, and I determined it is a MLM MK I*, 1890 Sparkbrook...so I am pretty stoked, never saw one in the wild before...

Issues off the bat...missing handguard, missing rear sight leaf, missing cleaning rod, has chunk out of top of butt stock where it joins to butt socket...pretty finish worn...

Good things, has magazine, complete, has cut off, has volley sights front and rear, has dust cover on bolt...unit marked to 7th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps (60th Foot)…

When looking it over, I was thrown by that single stack with sharp front corner mag, the dust cover and head shroud screwed on, and the double sling and stacking swivel up front, since I've never seen a MLM Mk I* ever! Even has a correct front sight cover, which is cool...

Good news is I did actually have a spare sight leaf, albeit missing the piece on the end that has the actual notch sight in it...it came on my Club Pattern Long Tom, and I found a complete leaf on eBay to replace it...luckily I saved the old leaf, and went on the MLM perfectly...now to find another complete leaf, or just the head piece...

I had it all apart cleaned it up judiciously, added the sight leaf, found a correct domed head brass screw for the marking disc in my spares box, so I replaced that flat head screw, and put it all back together...will get some updated and detail shots tomorrow...

In person in good light you can see the original rondel on the butt...looks like the wood may have been sanded, but I am guessing maybe during an arsenal check...in any case the additional markings on the butt were added later...to me it looks like "36", "RFA", "AC", and "65" maybe...I assume they are some sort of unit marking...

Again, the marking disc is marked for the 7th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps (60th Foot)...pretty cool unit, I think...seemed to be pretty active all around, South Africa, Nepal, India...

And notice the offset dual swivels at the front, a sling swivel, and stacking swivel...

I am very happy to have found such a neat piece of history!

You can see the leaf I had in my spares box, it just needs a cap (the part at the front end that has the v-notch).

Needs a handguard (cringe, but doesn't look too bad without it)

And maybe a cleaning rod (in 1890, it would have had one...)

I don't think I will mess with the chip broken off at the butt socket...

Information

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[pzjgr]

More pics...

[pzjgr]

Last pics...

[pzjgr]

Final Pic...

[browningautorifle]

At least you have one. I think those old rifles look like artwork. I missed one three or four decades back when a friend picked it off the table at a local show with bayonet... The folk here will soon rally and I wouldn't worry about the chip, it CAN be sorted. The small parts may just appear here. Nice...

[smle addict]

You scored a beautiful and rare rifle! As Jim said above, I wouldn't even worry about the chip in the buttstock. Congratulations on acquiring a very special slice of history.

[Alan de Enfield]

Lets just say "I'd find room in my safe for it"

[waco16]

Wonderful!
That rifle could certainly tell some stories!

[RobD]

As far as I know, the 1st - 4th Battalions KRR all fought in the South African War 1899-1902 -- but not the 7th Battalion, which was a militia battalion.

[Buccaneer]

A beautifully marked rifle with so much history a really great find many thanks for sharing. The one in my collection is a Lee Speed volunteer pattern but to find one at all these days is fantastic.