1895 6mm Lee Navy: Help Needed

[AGB-1]

I am restoring a 1895 Lee Navy rifle and need detailed measurements to have a handguard made for it. Having not examined one in over fifty years, I believe it uses a cllip on the rear and the middle band holds the front. some similarity to a Ross Handguard. I believe it if had the measurements, I could get a stock maker to make one. The rifle warrants restoration and if you know Lee Navys, there is no need for a HIstory lesson. would greatly appreciate any help. AGB-1

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.

[jmoore]

Might try S and S Firearms ( ssfirearms.com ). They don't list a handguard, but you never know.

[rayg]

This should help you. Handguard to the receiver is 11". I didn't take the handguard off so don't know how much if any, goes under the receiver. The cut out for the sight is 3-3/4" . Hope this helps, Ray

[AGB-1]

Rayg, Thanks for the measurements and pictures. Tried S&S,but no such luck. I wonder if the Lee has a spring clip at the rear of the handguard to hold it on? Two brad tips on the end of the handguard would be a good indication that it does.Finding a handguard is like finding the following: 1905, 1910 Ross stock and handguards. It took me about five years to find a 1879 Remington Lee Navy magazine. I could find plenty of 1882 or 85's: but no 1879. Since you have a Lee Navy: enough said. Thanks much. AGB-1

[rayg]

I don't see any indication of brad tips. I'm sure I would have noticed them if they were there, Ray

[oldhoodoo1]

GeneM, author of de book, once stated, I believe, that someone was making some repro stocks, I think he gave his name but I can't remember it. I will try to find it. I thought it was on this forum, it may have been on gunboards forum. I just saw it on one of the others (you might do some searching in the past threads). Of course, is yours a first contract or a second, the second had the finger grooves. Mine is a 2nd Contract with a first contract stock and 1st contract bolt (so at least the bolt and probably the stock was stooging around somewhere during the SAW) but there was apparent inbreeding with 1st and 2nd contracts. If you have a 1stcontract rifle you definitely want the 1st issue stock, I guess if a 2nd Contract, a first contract stock would be OK if you wanted it to look like a SAW rifle. I am sure you know all that but it was fun to write it. I just got mine and having great fun getting it back up to snuff, having to the a repro extractor and sight hood from S & S. Hope one day to find a 1st contract barrel and action to mate to the stock and bolt (if necessary). Of course, would like to get this 2nd contract receiver and barrel also righteous.

[oldhoodoo1]

I was wondering if folks started putting down general stats as to their rifles, such as 1st or 2nd Contract (or the non-contract ones in the middle) designation as to barrel receiver, bolt, and stock we might start a system for mutual benefit.
One thing I would like to find would be blanks or dummy rounds. I have fired the straight pull 1905 Ross, so actually firing live rounds in a straight pull has lost a bit of the thrill (something akin to bungee jumping-you know it is relatively safe but still there is a bit more doubt than a conventional bolt-yes I know about the fellow that blew his lee up with bad reloads), but operating the weapon is still fun.

One question I have, for those of you with 2nd contract receivers, a couple of questions. My firing pin lock is not nearly as positive as I would like it to be, far too easy to work for safety purposes, was this typical or do you think I have a spring missing or weak?

Conversely, the bolt release is a b*t*h to operate. Was this done intentionally to overcompensate for the bolt release for the 1st contract models being too easy to operate? My second contract bolt catch takes the strength of an ape with numb fingers to operate (of course, right now my bolt is falling out due to not having the extractor--I hope it is the missing extractor.

I contributed an article I found to the Spanish American War Centennial Website weapons section, where even at Guantanamo the bolts kept falling out (and losing extractors) due to inadvertant operation of the
bolt catch.

A bizarre but fun rifle. In terms of operation almost as alien as a Webley Fosbery auto-revolver.

[jmoore]

I've seen very, very few (any?) that were completely operational w/ original parts. If they work at all when you find 'em its cause for celebration. Lee's about the only designer whose creations seem to get wierder the newer they are!

[The Queens Medalist 86,87]

Does S&S have enough to make a complete bolt?
I need one.