Reblueing a Long Lee Enfield

[gsimmons]

Here's a real one.Attachment 35907Attachment 35908

[gsimmons]

I guess that didn't sound right. I meant here is mine that I know is not a khyber pass rifle. Can we see more piccies? Please

[rescuerandy2]

Attachment 35909Attachment 35919Attachment 35918Attachment 35917Attachment 35916Attachment 35915Attachment 35914Attachment 35913Attachment 35912Attachment 35911Attachment 35910Attachment 35920

More pics.

[Gingercat]

Looking at the new pictures, in picture 3 it looks like the barrel has been shortened considerably, like one of the Australian range rifles. The front sight is not a typical CLLE sight either, as it should have curving sight protectors.

[Amatikulu]

RobD has identified the rifle as a "khyber pass" type rifle and I agree with him based on the right butt socket markings. These are not worth risking your health if you want to shoot it. At best it's a wall hanger curiosity.

[Beerhunter]

Is it just me?

Not now it isn't. I was so fixated with the rebluing issues, I confess that I didn't look carefully enough at the pictures when they were posted.

The markings look like they have been done with the metallic equivalent of a "John Bull Printing Set". (For those of us old enough to remember the latter.)

[RobD]

But you have to admire the craftmanship. Damn good copy!

[Peter Laidler]

Those markings are about as straight as a cork-screw as we say in England. I wouldn't even dip it into a tank of dulite for fear of wasting the dulite!

[jrhead75]

There are at the very least quite a few good bits on it. Are there any proof/inspection markings on the barrel or under the wood? It'd be interesting to see what's what with it. It certainly got the "native gunsmithing" treatment in Afghanistan or thereabouts, but if that thing is entirely home made, I'll eat it.

Hoping I'm not letting myself in for a case of severe indigestion here...

[Badger]

Is it just me? Or do those markings suggest manufacture in the Khyber Pass region rather than Enfield? In your opening post you say "Getting close to purchasing..." - personally, I would walk away from this one...
See the post entitled LEC 1 1898 to show the general idea of how the Victorian crown and Enfield stamps should look.

I agree... something doesn't look right ...

Here's an MKL entry that might help ...

“Khyber Pass” Lee-Enfield No.I Mk.III* Rifle (click here)

Old thread ..

1898 lec 1 (click here)

Regards,
Doug