The reason why the original Lee Metfords were maqnufactured with a two piece butt and fore-end was that during the trials with the original and first Lee brought here for trials, the butt snapped during the bayonet part of the trials so it was decreed that the Lee Metfords would have a large sturdy bolt where the butt was weak. The rest is history.............

The P-14's were more substantial and didn't break during trials so remained one piece.

We have that original LEE at Warminster and the butt was still broken and missing until about 4 years ago when it was found in a box of 'junk'. I repaired it with the usual Armourers patchwork and it's now got a pride of place in among the hallowed Lee Enfield part of the collection.