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.

[browningautorifle]

Rifles like this have always interested me too, too bad the bolt was taken for parts earlier. Would love to hear the actual story, I know some guys bring back the items they had when they had a close call, this might be one of those.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Who said they cant talk?
Very nice.

[browningautorifle]

On the other side there is the second inscription "RAS SYDNEY"

I wonder if this refers to "Royal Agricultural Society of NSW?" It's a large agricultural grounds that could be used as a training or barracks area...at the time.

[Lithy]

I wonder if this refers to "Royal Agricultural Society of NSW?" It's a large agricultural grounds that could be used as a training or barracks area...at the time.

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW was established in 1822 and was granted Royal Title by Queen Victoria in 1891.

The RAS grounds were relocated to Moore Park in 1882, which is South East of the Sydney CBD. It was used as a camp in nearly every large conflict we have been involved in.

The way I read the carvings is; RA Shirley BALMAIN ( an inner western suburb of) SYDNEY.

Now to find an RA Shirley from Balmain in the nominal rolls.

[Lithy]

A footnote to my above post.

A Trooper Robert Henry Shirley can be found here; Australian Light Horse Studies Centre

We all know, there were plenty of blokes that had/used different names to the one on their enlistment papers.

[Paul S.]

A footnote to my above post.

A Trooper Robert Henry Shirley can be found here; Australian Light Horse Studies Centre

We all know, there were plenty of blokes that had/used different names to the one on their enlistment papers.

The letters that appear to be 'RAS' could possibly be a 'RHS' if the top of what appears to be an 'A' is not connected.

[Lithy]

After exhausting my google fu I have found out that 2582 Trooper RH Shirley didn't have a long visit to South Africa.

He embarked in Sydney on March 15 1901 as a re enforcement, posted to the 3rd New South Wales Imperial Bushmen when that unit was raised on May 4 1901 and was repatriated home February 6 1902.

The bit that has me confused is from what I can gather is they embarked without arms and yet "MARCH 1901" is carved into the LH side of the butt of the rifle.

Taking into account time taken to sail from Sydney to South Africa, it is unlikely he was issued his rifle in March.

[Buccaneer]

The way I read the carvings is; RA Shirley BALMAIN ( an inner western suburb of) SYDNEY.

It's great to have additional eyes looking at these things, now that you have pointed it out it is obvious but I am damned sure I couldn't see what was right in front of me, many thanks Lithy for seeing what I could not....

[#1oilman]

Fantastic piece of history, if only it could talk