A real piece of history

[Buccaneer]

For those of you who like me prefer to have their Enfields covered in history rather than cosmoline then this one is for you.
I recently picked up this 1892 dated Sparkbrook Long Lee when collecting a pile of "Junk" for a deceased estate. It did not have a bolt and was absolutely filthy, the damage was obvious but I thought it would at least be good for spares.
Once on the bench and after a brief clean I began to realise that there was something a bit special hiding under all of the dirt. What I had assumed to be damage caused by abuse soon became evident to be "battle damage". The damage appears to have been caused by shrapnel, one piece has traveled from the bottom of the fore end and exited out of the side, another piece has destroyed the base of the magazine and damaged the trigger guard, the magazine release catch had been broken off and the trigger spring was missing. Having stripped the rifle I can confirm that there is no other damage to either the bore or the action and I think if the bolt was present it would even be safe to shoot.
Now for the really interesting part, the butt. I think at least two different people have been involved in adding the inscriptions. One side is decorated with the words "Briton Boer War"
"South Africa March 1901" On the other side there is the second inscription "RAS SYDNEY"
there is the Australian coat of arms and the word "BALIRAIN" at least that what I think it says, there is another inscription that appears to read "HIRLEY" but it is open to interpretation. Does anyone have any idea what or who RAS Sydney was or the meaning of the other inscriptions??
What really puzzles me is why this rifle has remained in this condition for all of these years, everything on the rifle appears to match with no attempt to bring it back into service use.
I have cleaned barrel and although worn and dirty it could certainly be shot but with what sort of result is anyone's guess. I would like to have it checked over to see if a replacement bolt could be fitted and then get it through "proof" but that's as far as I would take any restoration as the beauty of this rifle is what it is not what it could be turned into.Attachment 106226Attachment 106236Attachment 106235Attachment 106234Attachment 106233Attachment 106232Attachment 106231Attachment 106230Attachment 106229Attachment 106228Attachment 106227Attachment 106215Attachment 106225Attachment 106224Attachment 106223Attachment 106222Attachment 106221Attachment 106220Attachment 106219Attachment 106218Attachment 106217Attachment 106216

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.