Lee-Metford Sparkbrook 1895 MKII* Rifle

[5thBatt]

Ok, found a reference to "Cleaning" rods being withdrawn in 1895 on page 448 TLE in the Technical Details chapter about the CLLM MkII, i think either a typo on the date or because he has used the term cleaning rod & not clearing rod, it might be referring to the earlier cleaning rod.

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[enfieldshooter]

5th Batt. I Don't want to get into a p***ing contest with this . After all I am only a beginner at this (40yrs) and my 4th post. Skennerton .303 Magazine Lee-Metford and Magazine Lee-Enfield.
Page16. and 22.

[5thBatt]

5th Batt. I Don't want to get into a p***ing contest with this . After all I am only a beginner at this (40yrs) and my 4th post. Skennerton .303 Magazine Lee-Metford and Magazine Lee-Enfield.
Page16. and 22.

Number of posts means nothing to me & never look unless its pointed out.
Welcome aboard.

[jrhead75]

An interesting point that could use clarification. It doesn't seem to make sense to abolish the rod only to bring it back with the next series of rifles and carbines (whatever its nomenclature) after that. The only mention of it in the source material that I have access to (LoCs) is the 1899 abolition of the clearing rods.

[5thBatt]

I dont have the book mentioned but I'm thinking after the change from cleaning to clearing rod (they are two different types of rods) the clearing rod could have been withdrawn/obsoleted in 1895 but the clearing rod carried over until it was withdrawn in 1899.
Really need to see that publication.

[jrhead75]

On page 22..."After May 1899 (per LoC §9700) clearing rods were abolished which is why few are found with MLM and MLE rifles and carbines today. Originally known as 'cleaning rods', when pull-throughs replaced the cleaning rods they were used for clearing the chamber, by joining two together."

Pretty clearly implies two terms for the same thing.

[5thBatt]

On page 22..."After May 1899 (per LoC §9700) clearing rods were abolished which is why few are found with MLM and MLE rifles and carbines today. Originally known as 'cleaning rods', when pull-throughs replaced the cleaning rods they were used for clearing the chamber, by joining two together."

Pretty clearly implies two terms for the same thing.

Different heads & different lengths 27.5 inch Cleaning vs 17.2 inch Clearing.

[jrhead75]

Yes different rods...but the nomenclature changed once the pull-through was introduced, not when the rod was shortened. LoC 7404, introducing the MLM MkII states: "...the clearing rod is shortened...etc."

[varifleman]

The rifle arrives Thursday 17 Sept so I'll give a range report once I shoot it.

[CINDERS]

Cool Vari we wait and see the results of your efforts at the range hope it all goes well for you I hope none of that gunk has gone into the crowns rifling, thought I would share some of my 303 Lee books the 2 jewels of these 4 books I suppose are The British Service Lee and the special maroon coloured presentation edition of a limited edition which is No.30 and signed by Ian.