Lee Metford Cavalry Carbine Mk1

[8udr]

I have a Lee Metford Cavalry Carbine Mk1 in my collection, does anyone know if it is possible to get a barrel for it. The rifling on the barrel I have is badly worn.

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[rgg_7]

I don't imagine that would come cheap. You would be better off buying a "sporter" and parting it out for a barrel. What year and model carbine do you have?

[8udr]

1895 Lee Metford Cavalry Carbine MK1

[Son]

I have a Lee Metford Cavalry Carbine Mk1 in my collection, does anyone know if it is possible to get a barrel for it. The rifling on the barrel I have is badly worn.

8udr, I don't think you will find a Metford barrel simply because people will not be parting out these rifles. Any spares would have been consumed over a hundred years ago or scrapped when Enfield rifling was introduced.

If the barrel in your rifle is the original one, regardless of it's condition, it seriously contributes to the collectability and therefor the rifle's value. I'd leave it in your collection as is.
If you need one to shoot, buy a sporterised Lee Enfield with a good barrel and modify it to the shape of the little Metford carbine. Probably be able to do that cheaper- you can have your cake and eat it too.

[bigduke6]

8udr,

Any chance of some pics?

The Barrel I would say its as rare as rocking horse s**t to find, and would agree with Son on the collector side of things, If its all matching etc, keep as it is.

When you say it is worn how bad is it and have you used it ? Only ask because I have had a few rifles with barrels that looked like they were smooth bore, but shot ok. have you tried cast bullets ?

[jrhead75]

Totally agree with Son. Much more value to an entirely original piece.

[Surpmil]

The only other option might be having the barrel bored and relined, but there is very little 'meat' at the muzzle end for that kind of thing. If you're determined to shoot it, you could have a decent SMLE barrel machined to the same external configuration and have it fitted by someone with the RIGHT TOOLS to do it without damaging the action or original barrel. However, as others have said, the rifle is a collector's item, not a 'user'. Best left as is and get something later/already 'chopped' if you want a shooter.

[enfield303t]

The only other option might be having the barrel bored and relined, but there is very little 'meat' at the muzzle end for that kind of thing. If you're determined to shoot it, you could have a decent SMLE barrel machined to the same external configuration and have it fitted by someone with the RIGHT TOOLS to do it without damaging the action or original barrel. However, as others have said, the rifle is a collector's item, not a 'user'. Best left as is and get something later/already 'chopped' if you want a shooter.

Surpmil, did you ever get wood for your LEC as you mentioned to me?

Thanks

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Are you sure its worn?

Metford barrels look "worn" when they are new. It's an "undocumented feature", in "software-speak". See also Arisakas. Of course, if a .311" projectile disappears 6" down the muzzle or breech end, you do have a problem.

If your barrel is matched to the receiver and bolt, then swapping in a replacement, if you can find one, will diminish that bit of "cachet". If yours is a "bitzer" then it's up to the third umpire.

And then, of course, if you want to fire the thing, there is the issue of headspace. The older the "Lee", the more hand-fitting went on. If you score a barrel from one of the tasty little "Army and Navy" commercial sporting carbines, you might not get exactly what you want, either. And anyone who would scrap a good one of those "commercial" jobs needs a stiff whack with a rusty SMLE barrel.

[Surpmil]

Surpmil, did you ever get wood for your LEC as you mentioned to me?

Thanks

I still have the forend here, but am beginning to despair of the stock maker ever having time to deal with the project. If anything happens I'll be in touch!