British .303cal Lee-Metford MK.1* Magazine Rifle Dated 1890/91 with Bayonet & Scabbard [BE1890] $2,250.00
Original Item: A Recent Historical Narrative- A few months ago, IMA confirmed on a prominent internet Gun forum that these .303cal bolt action rifles recovered from the Royal Arsenal of Nepal in 2003 had all been sold and deactivated in
England
for the British market. To avoid U.S. Customs complications IMA shipped all the Post-1898 weapons to England directly from Nepal and, for whatever reason, that shipment happened to include a very few Lee Metford Rifles which had been discovered with No.1 Mk.3 SMLE Rifles. Unhappily our British Customer for these items, owing to the recent economic crisis, has closed his business and we stepped in to re-acquired what inventory remained, INCLUDING a very few, as yet, non-deactivated and still un-cleaned Lee-Metford MK.1* Rifles.
IMA is proud to offer the very few remaining rifles in un-cleaned, AS IS, condition, just as we found them in the Royal Palace of Nepal where they laid undisturbed for over 100 years. We have cleaned a sample to demonstrate the general condition (without the grime), which is photographed beside an un-cleaned example. It is our sincere belief that all rifles are basically in the same general good/very good condition. IMA has inspected each rifle to make sure all integral parts are included and no major stock or metal damage is present. However, minor pitting and stock imperfections must be expected. Also, we do not inspect or clean the bore, as these are not sold with the intention of firing. Interestingly, we received the bayonets and scabbards with the rifles (not matched to the guns though) and both will be included with your purchase. Scabbard styles vary slightly.
Every rifle is marked on the rear receiver ring onto which the butt attaches with Victorian Royal Crown over V.R. under which is marked ENFIELD over 1890 or 1891, beneath which is I*. There are various British Military Proof Inspection marks on the forward receiver ring into which the barrel screws, in addition to the Serial Number.
These are the very rare Mk.1* model, in fact Nepal was never issued any and what they had were captured from Tibet in the Nepal/Tibetan War of the early 1900s.
So that's the story, we had them, we sold them and luckily were able to buy a few back. Very few, as described, complete with original bayonet and scabbard. This is an excellent reason to get your hands dirty. We have very, very few of these and once they are sold an opportunity like this will never be repeated.
Note: This gun was manufactured before 1898 and is therefore legally considered an "antique". It is totally legal to own WITHOUT a U.S. Federal Firearms License and can be shipped to most countries around the world.
Originally Posted by Paul S.
PM
