Trials pattern Lee Metford carbines.

[englishman_ca]

I am just showing off again. 1893 dated 1892 Pattern Trials Carbines.



Top one is serial number 4 and is a restoration to how the first series of one hundred carbines were sent out for trials with the rifle bolt and a ten round magazine. I used the other carbine's wood as the pattern. I have been toying with this little carbine for about ten years now using it as a deer gun. I gathered parts for the restoration until today when I finally got motivated to do it. The nose cap was the hardest part to find. A friend who is a Scot and lives in Germany found one in England and shipped it to me in Canada.

Hot off the duplicator, this is my first fit up with rough sanding and one coat of raw linseed oil to see how the colours match. It will darken a bit as I get into the oiling regime. The walnut was cut in the Niagara area about 75 years ago. Nice stable seasoned wood with which to work.

The lower one is also a trials carbine, second series, serial number 5. I did very little to it other than some minor wood repairs and a gentle cleaning.


Fifty of the first series were returned to the factory in 1893 for an update and reissued as the second series. The update involved bending the bolt handle forwards and inwards as per later production carbines, but note that there is no flat on the bolt knob. A six round captive magazine was fitted with its unique carbine trigger guard, and a top handguard was fitted and attached with spring clips.



So here they be, two examples of carbines that are not often seen. Not many around, only about five are known to survive. I thought I would share.

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