Buttplate swap - Lee Metford/Enfield MLM/MLE for LEC1 Carbine

[Bluenoser]

I am restoring a Lee Enfield LEC1 carbine and need a buttplate - which I cannot find. The curvature and screw locations of an SMLE buttplate are different. I can get a MLM/MLE (Long Lee) buttplate. I know the heel extension on a MLM/MLE is longer, but do not know if the rest of the profile and screw locations would match the LMC1 butt. It looks like a simple operation to rework the heel extension to fit the LEC1.

Does anyone know if the MLM/MLE buttplate with a modified heel extension would fit?

[louthepou]

Hmm good question. Too bad I don't have an LEC to check... (The one I worked on went back to its owner a couple of years ago!) I wonder if anyone either knows the answer, or has an LEC and wouldn't mind testing out? (by receiving an MLM plate and physically testing it?)

Lou

[Bluenoser]

Lou,
The upper screw on the LEC buttplate is higher on the heel than on the SMLE, and enters at a more downward angle. The lower screw is in about the right location. The overall side profile of the plate is flatter (or straighter) than that of the SMLE. Do you recall how the MLM/MLE plate compares to the SMLE?

Thanks
Laurie

[louthepou]

Hi Laurie, sorry for taking days before getting back to this.

I took a couple of pics of two older buttplates I've found in my "misc." parts bin. Not sure where to go from here... except asking around for pictures and measurements of the LEC butt!

Lou

[Bluenoser]

Here are some photos of the LMC/LEC buttplate and as a point of reference an SMLE buttplate.

The carbine buttplate, which is on the left and top, has pretty much the same end profile as the SMLE, but is flatter in side profile with a slightly turned-in toe and heel and is a little more rounded in the upper heel area. The lower screw on the carbine is in roughly the same location as on the SMLE, but the upper screw is much higher and enters at a marked downward angle. The screw spacing on the carbine is 3.35" centre-to-centre measured at the exposed face of the butt. Due to the angle of the upper screw, the measurement would be somewhat less on the inside.

[Bluenoser]

I have received an MLM/MLE buttplate and, yes they are easily converted for use on the LMC/LEC carbines. The basic profile is identical. The heel extension or tang on the MLM/MLE BP has to be cut off, thinned from the underside and re-shaped to the carbine profile. Once that is done, it is a good fit. The screws should be brass. The steel ones in the photo are temporary until I can find brass replacements.