1898 Lee Enfield Cavalry Carbine

[Heli-Mech]

Does anyone know what the "crown emblem" & VR stamped above the 1898 date represents?



I have been reading up on the MILSURPS Advisory Panel .... that is such a great idea/service!

I hope to get a bunch of better HD pics and submit it for review in the near future.

[Bear43]

The crown is an indication that the rifle was in military service. All rifles accepted into military service have the crown stamped on them. The V.R. is for the reigning monarch at the time of manufacture. In this case it stands for Victoria Regina.

[RobD]

Is the brass stock disc blank? If so, I suggest gently remove it and check whether the other side has a unit marking... you never know!

[Heli-Mech]

The disc is blank ... I will have my father remove it carefully and inspect for markings.

Where would u find the other serial numbers on the rifle ...... I would like to see if it's a numbers matching item but am a Noob/Amateur at this.

Ian

[Amatikulu]

The picture of the Butt Stock shows some markings:

M&D is "Militia and Defense" - showing Canadian military ownership - I don't remember the period that M&D was used but I'm sure someone will chime in.
Below that is a roundel showing manufacture at the Enfield factory.
To the side, the two facing broad arrows are known aas the "sold out of service" marking showing the weapon was sold by the military to the civilian market.

Serial numbers are normally found on both the barrel and receiver ring on the right hand side. The rear facing side of the bolt handle is another place marked with the serial number. Finally, the rear sight leaf may also carry the serial number on the underside of the leaf.

[Heli-Mech]

Well I walked my father through a few steps over the phone and got some more info on the ..... it is indeed a numbers matching rifle!

- Breach SN# 6051
- Barrel SN# 6051
- Bolt SN# 6051
- Volley SN# 6051

We even discovered it has the original oiling can with the lid screwdriver & fabric in the butt ...... unfortunatly the fabric fell apart in his had as he reomoved it.

He is also going to try and get me some better pictures of the all the other markings & proofs he has found so far.

[Heli-Mech]

Is the brass stock disc blank? If so, I suggest gently remove it and check whether the other side has a unit marking... you never know!

The disc would not budge, the screw came out just fine ... but it is still stuck in the butt stock. It was worth a shot.

Ian

[Heli-Mech]

- Volley SN# 6051

I had this mixed up and was referring to the rear sight. Rear Sight SN# 6051

[Heli-Mech]

Pics of the serial numbers, they had problems focusing on the bolt numbers.



And here is the oiling can.
[/QUOTE]

[englishman_ca]

Very nice untouched carbine!

I believe that your carbine is one of the three hundred mentioned previously, purchased by the Canadian Govt in fiscal year 1898/99. This batch of arms did not come directly from the factory, they were drawn from Army Stores to fill the order, hence the 'sold out of service' markings.

I also have a carbine dated 1898 and it has identical markings as those on yours with the exception on my serial number being 160A.

I found it in N.S.