Reblueing a Long Lee Enfield

[Badger]

Is it just me? Or do those markings suggest manufacture in the Khyber Pass region rather than Enfield? In your opening post you say "Getting close to purchasing..." - personally, I would walk away from this one...
See the post entitled LEC 1 1898 to show the general idea of how the Victorian crown and Enfield stamps should look.

I agree... something doesn't look right ...

Here's an MKL entry that might help ...

“Khyber Pass” Lee-Enfield No.I Mk.III* Rifle (click here)

Old thread ..

1898 lec 1 (click here)

Regards,
Doug

Information

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[boltaction]

There is something seriously wrong with the markings on that rifle. They are not correct at all. They look hand stamped. Either the rifle was completely refinished at some point and then someone tried to replicate the original stamps, or else the entire rifle was made by hand, but it looks too good to be that. Any proof marks on the barrel or receiver? What do the numbers on the rearsight look like? That is one mystery rifle.

[boltaction]

Sorry, I had only looked at the first page of the thread--didn't realize there were another two! Barrel is definitely way too short, and has the wrong front sight as mentioned. The rearsight markings and graduations appear correct though, although it is a target rearsight and not a standard ladder. Seems to be a mixmaster of correct parts and maybe incorrect parts, or it might have been a correct Long Lee which was thoroughly ground down, shortened and then crudely restamped. I would favour the latter, but I'm not sure I'd want to shoot it. Very odd.

Based on the buttplate tang stampings, I would say it was the 7th rifle dealt with in such a way--COLT clearly stands for Cruel Old Lee Torture, or maybe Cruelly Obliterated Long Tom ........

If I saw it at a gunshow for not too much, I would buy it just for interest and uniqueness.

Out of curiosity, what's with the markings on the left side of the barrel, and the oddball serial number stamped on the left side of the receiver? Are those importer marks?

Ed

[gsimmons]

Here's a real one.Attachment 35907Attachment 35908

[gsimmons]

I guess that didn't sound right. I meant here is mine that I know is not a khyber pass rifle. Can we see more piccies? Please

[rescuerandy2]

Attachment 35909Attachment 35919Attachment 35918Attachment 35917Attachment 35916Attachment 35915Attachment 35914Attachment 35913Attachment 35912Attachment 35911Attachment 35910Attachment 35920

More pics.

[Gingercat]

Looking at the new pictures, in picture 3 it looks like the barrel has been shortened considerably, like one of the Australian range rifles. The front sight is not a typical CLLE sight either, as it should have curving sight protectors.

[Amatikulu]

RobD has identified the rifle as a "khyber pass" type rifle and I agree with him based on the right butt socket markings. These are not worth risking your health if you want to shoot it. At best it's a wall hanger curiosity.

[Beerhunter]

Is it just me?

Not now it isn't. I was so fixated with the rebluing issues, I confess that I didn't look carefully enough at the pictures when they were posted.

The markings look like they have been done with the metallic equivalent of a "John Bull Printing Set". (For those of us old enough to remember the latter.)

[RobD]

But you have to admire the craftmanship. Damn good copy!