Lee-Metford MkI*

[Ridolpho]

Attached are a few photos of my MLM I* which originated as a MLM I in '89. Have wanted one of these for a while but had to be patient. This one has original barrel with additional matching numbers on the sight leaf and the triggerguard. The bolt doesn't seem to have a serial #, just 10.88. As you can see, on action-body and barrel, original serial # 894 is crossed out and DP. 1891 stamped above. There is also a small DP on butt and very faintly on forend just in front of magazine. "Sold from service" marks are also visible and no import marks. The bore is very clean and shiny but I have no idea how worn it is as this is the only metford rifling I've ever seen up-close. Very minor pitting below wood on the barrel and the forend is in excellent shape with very tight fit at the draws and the perfect seamless fit against the cheeks that I've seen on numerous MLE's.

For those not familiar, the MLM I and I* have some significant differences from the subsequent MLM II, II* and MLE rifles. These include bolt head (retained by screw), dust cover, barrel profile, magazine (8 round single row on MLM I and I*), upper band/ nosecap, trigger/ sear, etc, etc. The "upgrade" from MLM I to I* involved change of rear sight and elimination of the very SMLE-like safety found on the MLM I. The MLM II was approved in Jan, 1892, so the British Lee evolved pretty quickly in the early days.

Questions: Is the 1891 following "DP" likely the year it was downgraded? Any ideas about the markings on the butt-disk?

Ridolpho

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Very, very nice. One of those pattern of rifles that look like artwork to me. Always wanted one but never did manage to get one.

[RobD]

Can't be certain, since there is an & at large on the disc, but if the stock disc reads "V.1.AB.A" it means 1st Aberdeen Artillery Volunteers. Issued Jan 1894
By coincidence you will see a similar one at the very bottom of the page at
http://www.martinihenry.com/units.htm

[stevesmle]

A nice example of a very early production Sparkbrook made Metford. All early Enfield and Sparkbrook Lee Metford Mark I's had the serial number on the breech and receiver hidden below the woodwork, in addition early Sparkbrook's also did not have the Mark numeral on the wrist strap, later production also switched to a vertical serial number on the breech and receiver. It looks like this rifle had the original serial number re-stamped in the usual positions and the mark numeral and star added when it was later upgraded, possibly at Sparkbrook or more likely at Weedon while it was in store. The 1891 on the receiver is possibly some sort of rack number, as the last 2 digits of the year of upgrade would be stamped on the left side of the wrist strap.

[Ridolpho]

Thanks RobD- that sure looks like the same thing! And stevesmle- thank's for that great info. Incidentally, there are no dates stamped in the usual place on the left cheek.

Ridolpho

[mr.e moose]

Nice acquisition. I would like to find one as nice for my little collection.

[englishman_ca]

A very well preserved example, complete and untouched. Nice find!

My 1891 LSA Mk.I* is also DP marked.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psye9zrhmw.jpg

I note that this butt disc is made of iron, not brass which I believe signifies Drill Purpose.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psq4ufdqao.jpg

[Ridolpho]

Acc. to Skennerton (sorry I don't have the page number with me) during the fiscal year ;90-'91 around 3000 MLM Mk I "DP" rifles were produced followed by similar numbers in '91-'92 and '92-'93. I assume that as this was a brand new model, Drill rifles had to be taken straight from production? On the other hand, I'm inclined to think that the 1891 following the "DP" on my '89 built rifle is the date it was reclassified to drill status but there doesn't appear to be a date for the upgrade to Mk I* configuration marked anywhere. Anyone else have any thoughts about the history of use of this rifle? I suppose a lifetime of use as a Drill rifle might explain the well preserved bore. Thanks.

Ridolpho

[stevesmle]

No large stocks of finished rifles or carbines were kept at either Enfield or Sparkbrook, once they were finished they were crated up and sent into store at Weedon, your rifle has a January 1894 issue date on the butt disc, (if it is original to the rifle), that means it sat in store there four about four years. Simple upgrades, like from Mk I to I*, would have been performed at weedon, to bring all rifles in store up to pattern, more complicated upgrades,would have involved sending the rifles to the Birmingham repair factory, and after 1894, to Sparkbrook for repair, it is possible that rifles upgraded at Weedon did not receive a date stamp on the wrist strap, but any upgraded at Birmingham would have been marked up with the last two digits of the year.
D.P. rifles, produced at Enfield and Sparkbrook, were on specific orders from the Army,Navy or the colonies, these are different from worn rifles, downgraded to D.P. status by unit armourers.

[A square 10]

very nice looking rifle - one ive wanted to add and never come across either