Introduction and Request

[Annapolis]

Gentlemen, let me introduce myself to the board. I'm "Annapolis" over on the Brit. Mil. Forums (Martini-Henry and Snider). After 40 years at the Univ. of Maryland, I'm now newly retired and can dedicate time to smoothing off the rough spots in my collection and actually learning what I have. Most all my experience has been in black powder transition guns. But, I do have a Long Lee Enfield MK I 1896 (Enfiled mfr). Not surprisingly, it no longer has its cleaning rod. So,I'd appreciate any help you all can offer about where to find an original or a repro. There was a thread on Milsurps from Fred some whild about, in '09, about a source for a repro. And further back the name of Mr. Holms could be found (but no contact info).

All leads would be much valued. Annapolis

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.

[Lee Enfield]

http://www.calgarygunshow.com/contact.html

Here is Hank's contact info.

[Ridolpho]

Annapolis: As you're probably aware, the L.E. I* did away with the rod. I'd be curious if anyone knows whether the rods were routinely eliminated from earlier rifles while in service. My own example is also mssing its rod.

Ridolpho

[Brian Dick]

I could be wrong but I think the answer is yes if memory serves.

[browningautorifle]

Yes, Hank makes all those items and has them by the firepail at his table...pretty good copies too.

[Annapolis]

Folks -- thank you all for the leads. I shall contact Mr. Holm directly. Ridolpho, I've been wondering the same as you: what happened to the rods? Were they all taken out of service, even in the field, the day the Change Order specifications for MkI* were issued; or, perhaps simply retained for the MKI's in service? Then disposed of in the armories when they came in for refurbishment/repair? Here's another question for which I've never seen an explanation: why was the cleaning rod dropped in the first place? A pointless expense? A desire to lessen the weight of the MKI?

Anyway, thank you all. Terry PS: I doubt if I shall get to the Alberta show to see the briming bucket, so hope to convince Hank Holm to send one!

[Kiwi]

Annapolis, just make sure the stock still has the clearing rod 'keeper nut' still inserted into the stock (it'll be located behind the middle band and be a small rectangle in the barrel channel) so that any clearing rod you do manage to track down can actually be screwed in and retained in the stock. I have had older MLE fore-ends that have had the keep nut removed (not sure if in service or by a previous owner), so that made it impossible to keep the clearing rod attached until I manaded to track down the missing item. any chance of some photos of your rifle?

[Annapolis]

KIWI: Great caution; thanks. I'd previously discovered that Sniders also have such a feature. For the life of me, at first I could not draw out the Snider cleaning rod. Then, by chance, thought to turn it counter clockwise. Hey, Presto. It just unscrews. You will be interested to know, that I took the Snider rod and slid it into the MLE MKI channel. It went in, then snugged up against the retaining nut. I could feel the threads trying to engage, but thought it prudent not to try lest I strip them . Mercifully, there's a nut in there. Very likely clogged with gunk. Cleaning it out -- gently -- will be the next task.

I'm still feeling my way with photos. I will try, but am not confident I can do it in the short run.

I know it can be frustrating to the Board to ask questions without a picture, but ....

... I'd like to ask you and others some questions about N.Z. "Long Toms" -- or more specifically, the one I have and describe here. My MLE is Enfield manufacture 1896 . [but there do seem to be some BSA parts mixed in]. It has an "N [Broad Arrow] Z" on the butt plate tang. Below are 3 (or 4) numbers so effaced they are illegible. Then there are two sold out of service "S"s with associated double arrows. Ok, so far so good. But, here is where I'm beyond my understanding and would ask for possible answers. The right side of the butt stock does not have an Enfield or any commercial mfr. roundel, nor even the trace of one But, in relatively large "armoury looking" letters is "EY" . In the same type style and size is the number "1" (Not "I") and directly below it is another "1" , both identical in font etc. In style the EY and 1's are each like the "Mark" type face you would see on a Martini-H. Above all these, up near the comb is a very tiny "1903". There is an "E" on the Knox Form. This may be more (or much less) information than needed to solve the EY / no roundel mystery.

I have not taken the rifle apart. Seeing more barrel markings may lend more clues. As yet, all I can add is there is an "E" on the Knox form. There is a serial number 2127 on the right side of the receiver. The rear sight bed is graduated to 500 yds and there is no "HV". Back of the sight ladder is a different serial number, 28[?]7. The bolt cover has a small cursive "B" inspection mark which I interpret as a BSA mark.

That's it. All surmises and/or answers greatly appreciated. Terry

[Kiwi]

EY = Emergency use. Search EY on this forum for a more detailed description of EY marked rifles.
E on knox form = Enfield rifling (as opposed to the earlier Metford rifling)
Is there an * on the right side of foresight?
If it's an NZ rifle then I'm guessing the bolt serial doesn't match the receiver serial.

[Annapolis]

Kiwi: thanks for your quick reply. I embarrass myself about the EY. I didn't do my homework. But, now have followed your cue to the Emergency Use threads. And you guessed it, there is, indeed, an asterisk on the right side of the foresight. I'm intrigued. Where does that lead you? The serial number on the bolt handle matches that on the receiver. Annapolis