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Help with 1898 LE I tang markings needed
I have an 1898 Lee Enfield I. It has intriguing tang markings but I can't find definitive sources to interpret them. D 10, 15 MR, 78
I would assume I am looking at a rack number 78, a company designation D 10?, and a regimental mark 15? MR?.
But the meaning of the 10, the 15 and the MR are illusive.
For the MR These potentials are listed on one site. Mounted Rifles, Manchester Regiment, Montgomeryshire Yeomanry, Master at Arms, Motor Regiment, Montmagny Regiment, Mobilization & Recruiting Section of Organization, Midland Regiment, Maisonneuve Regiment, Middlesex.Regiment.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Scott in Savannah
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08-12-2017 09:25 PM
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D tends to mean "Dragoons", and thus D10 could possibly be the 10th Dragoons, also known as 10th (The Prince of Wales's Own) Royal Hussars.
However, because they were used as cavalry during the Boer War, they would have carried LE carbines when mounted.
But: mounted units were used differently, i.e. not as cavalry, in the 2 yrs guerilla phase of the War. Cavalry charges were no longer of any use against small groups of Boers. Mounted men dismounted and took cover to advance on foot when engaging the Boers, exactly as the Boers did when engaging Imperial troops. In this role, a cavalry carbine was inferior to a long rifle. So, maybe this long rifle was issued to elements of the 10th Dragoons for Mounted Rifle work. If that hypothesis holds, the D10 = 10th Dragoons and MR = Mounted Rifles.
Bit of a tall story? But the best I can think of this morning.
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Thanks for responses. Is there a consistent logic for tang markings as to Company, Battalion, Regiment Rack Number.
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Try working your way through this stuff; it will at least eliminate some of other people's guesses. My guess is that is some colonial abbreviation and more specialised knowledge will be needed. Manchester Regt is MAN. and Middlesex is Mx. so those are out.
Regulations for Army Ordnances Services 1904
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Thank You to Mk VII For This Useful Post:
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Originally Posted by
Strangely Brown
Mississauga Regiment? (
Canadian
Service)
Madras Railway Volunteers? (Indian Service)
Source: The Broad Arrow.
Edited for clarity.
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Thank You to Strangely Brown For This Useful Post:
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Originally Posted by
Mk VII
Try working your way through this stuff; it will at least eliminate some of other people's guesses. My guess is that is some colonial abbreviation and more specialised knowledge will be needed. Manchester Regt is MAN. and Middlesex is Mx. so those are out.
Regulations for Army Ordnances Services 1904
Excellent post Mk VII, Been after a copy of them for sometime, certainly clears up a few doubts etc regarding bayonets.
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Originally Posted by
Strangely Brown
Mississauga Regiment?
I don't believe we had a Mississauga Regiment. The Queen's Own Rifles was in that area. I think MR is mounted rifles, like D is Dragoons, both mounted units.
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I don't believe we had a Mississauga Regiment. The Queen's Own Rifles was in that area. I think MR is mounted rifles, like D is Dragoons, both mounted units.
I took that from Ian Skennerton
's Broad Arrow book; Mississauga is a name I have not come across before.
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Originally Posted by
Mk VII
Try working your way through this stuff; it will at least eliminate some of other people's guesses. My guess is that is some colonial abbreviation and more specialised knowledge will be needed. Manchester Regt is MAN. and Middlesex is Mx. so those are out.
Regulations for Army Ordnances Services 1904
Thanks for this manual. I love stuff like this. It would seem that my marks don't fit this reg.