RNWMP Lee Enfield Carbine????

[englishman_ca]

Watch and shoot!

Another project on its way to me.


Check out the markings on the butt of this 1896 LEC.

Not sure as to what to do with this carbine clean up wise. I have removed unwanted booboos on wood with steam, but this looks to be stamped right in there right over the top of the ghost of the Enfield cartouche. Doh!

The woodset has been sanded once, so I am actually entertaining the thought of carefully giving it another sandpaper session ( I don't believe I just wrote that) to get rid of this RNWMP marking.

Similar stamped markings have shown up on carbines before, supposedly it is in the style of the factory stamp that was applied to the NWMP's lever actions at Winchester. Consensus is that this stamp is totally bogus. Too bad as the carbine itself appears could well be ex-Canadian issue. Its serial number is less than 200 away from another I have in my collection marked to E battery RCFA. There are no Brit civvy proofs or sold out of service arrows.

I guess with the internet, if something bogus is purported to be genuine enough times, it will start to gain credibility. However, the seller is an honourable man and is not trying to pass this one off as genuine.

More on this when the carbine gets here. Bought the carbine mainly as a pattern for my wood duplicator (more on this later too!) for six carbine projects that I have cooking (oh crap, this makes seven!).

Only have vendor pics at this time, but I had to share and pic your brains!

Information

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[boltaction]

Good morning:
You are correct about the stamp. I used to own that carbine, and did mention the stamp faking to the seller--he was handling the sale of the carbine for the owner who had it after me. It's a very nice carbine, and I sometimes wish I hadn't sold it, but I have others. The stamp should be the oval one, not this half-moon, and it is clear it has been "double-struck". If memory serves me, this carbine was also issued to the Canadian Mounted Rifles, but I could be wrong, and can't find my photos of it from when I owned it. It will be difficult to eliminate that irritating stamp without changing the stamp underneath. That is one of the reasons I sold the carbine to begin with. However, as a representative example of an LEC, it is lovely--very smooth action, nice patina. Enjoy!

Ed

[enfield303t]

Viewed that gun on CGN for a few weeks, it is unfortunae the fake stamp was put on it and I gave it fairly serious thought however saw no way of removing the stamp and that ended any inclination to buy it.

It was reduced in price IIRC.

I have two, one bubba had and another that came from RCMP Depot in Regina many years ago. A retired "federal agent" owned it and was given it by the RCMP. Apparently it was used for bayonet practice by the mounties during WWI however I can't substantiate that claim.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

"Apparently it was used for bayonet practice by the mounties "

I thought that the only "issue" LM/LE carbine that took a bayonet was the Royal Irish Constabulary model; these being LECs that had extra timber grafted onto the fore-end to support a LE nose-cap / bayonet standard for the P-88 bayonet.

Obviously bayonets on carbines came back into vogue with the No5, (Oz) No 6 series and the Canadian J5550 "super-lightweight". At least they didn't bring back the outrageous Yataghan and Elcho "sword-length" bayonets for WW2, though the Oz No6 with a Patt '07 "full" length blade looks pretty wild.

[enfield303t]

"Apparently it was used for bayonet practice by the mounties "

I thought that the only "issue" LM/LE carbine that took a bayonet was the Royal Irish Constabulary model; these being LECs that had extra timber grafted onto the fore-end to support a LE nose-cap / bayonet standard for the P-88 bayonet.

Obviously bayonets on carbines came back into vogue with the No5, (Oz) No 6 series and the Canadian J5550 "super-lightweight". At least they didn't bring back the outrageous Yataghan and Elcho "sword-length" bayonets for WW2, though the Oz No6 with a Patt '07 "full" length blade looks pretty wild.

Can't confirm what the guy told me and I bought it so cheap if was literally free. When I bought it I wasn't going to argue as he told me what he was told or believed he was told and i totally trust the guy.

As Peter Laidler says, buy the gun now the story and I bought the gun, even offered him more than he asked but he was happy it was going to a good home. Also got a 1950 Long Branch No4 with transit case that appears to be unissued. He also had a No1 in .410 that was well "scorched" as I know there was a fire at the RCMP Depot in Regina years ago. I think my LEC is a little "dark" and was in the same room, just not damaged.