+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 33

Thread: Lee metford/Enfield cavalry carbine restoration

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Deceased August 31st, 2020 englishman_ca's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    08-15-2020 @ 07:19 AM
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    378
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:52 AM

    Lee metford/Enfield cavalry carbine restoration

    I was having a bit of a log jam with my carbine restorations. With RIC carbines and NZ contract jobbies I could get away with using a MLE rifle nose cap or one from a Martini Enfield. Not always an easy thing to find, but still doable. However, trying to find a nosecap for a cavalry carbine turned up a big fat zero. There simply are non out there to be found.

    Then a chap in New Zealandicon stepped up with some nosecaps that he had made by investment casting. Very high quality and the fit is quite good. The nosecaps have a healthy price tag, but it is an expensive process and no other options if I wanted to complete those projects. I have restored a couple now with the cast ones, they turned out quite good.

    So as an alternative, I made a contact with another collector who was into restoring a sad sportered cav carbine. He basically needed everything except the action. He has access to a full machine shop, including a master machinist with a CNC controlled milling machine. We made a deal. I made him a wood set and supplied the parts he needed, he supplied me a brace of nosecaps copied from an original that I supplied as a pattern. Win - win.


    Left is a CNC machined unit, center is original, right side unit is investment cast.



    Now to address the lack of barrel bands. Stay tuned!!
    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.

  2. The Following 5 Members Say Thank You to englishman_ca For This Useful Post:


  3. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  4. #2
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:52 AM
    This will be a very neat little carbine in the end. How are you going to blue it? A rust blue, although time consuming will provide a beautiful deep rich finish that will mirror the original...
    Regards, Jim

  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Deceased August 31st, 2020 englishman_ca's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    08-15-2020 @ 07:19 AM
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    378
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:52 AM
    Thread Starter
    .
    Two that I just restocked. The 1898 one has a spliced front section, the 1899 has new front wood complete.

    For the most part, I don't refinish metalwork. Only if I have some major problem that requires machining or draw filing will I rust blue. I have a wooden rusting box (transit chest with steam feed), it is time consuming, yes, but a finish that can't be duplicated with anything out of a bottle.

    The nose caps and barrel bands were originally oil blackened I believe. Fairly simple process too, but takes practice to get it just right. Basically the part is heated in an iron box on a camp stove, then dropped into used motor oil, washed and repeated until the desired black is produced. Tough as nail finish.
    Last edited by englishman_ca; 06-24-2016 at 08:55 AM.

  7. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to englishman_ca For This Useful Post:


  8. #4
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:52 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by englishman_ca View Post
    the part is heated in an iron box on a camp stove, then dropped into used motor oil, washed and repeated until the desired black is produced. Tough as nail finish.
    Excellent info, thanks. Lovely looking work.
    Regards, Jim

  9. #5
    Deceased August 31st, 2020 englishman_ca's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    08-15-2020 @ 07:19 AM
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    378
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:52 AM
    Thread Starter

    1896 LEC Mk.I



    This is another one that needed some TLC. I replaced the barrel with one taken from a rifle and turned down to carbine dimensions. The wood needed a slice with the joint under the barrel band.

  10. Thank You to englishman_ca For This Useful Post:


  11. #6
    Deceased August 31st, 2020 englishman_ca's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    08-15-2020 @ 07:19 AM
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    378
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:52 AM
    Thread Starter

    1896 Lee Metford cavalry carbine Mk.I (2nd variation)

    And another one. An 1896 Lee Metford cavalry carbine manufactured in spring/early summer, one of around seven hundred made in this variation. Features are that it is manufactured without the D-Ring provision but does have the sling bar on the butt stock.

    Last edited by englishman_ca; 07-05-2016 at 09:46 AM. Reason: spellng

  12. Thank You to englishman_ca For This Useful Post:


  13. #7
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:52 AM
    Nice looking little carbines. We usually don't even see the sporterized carbines at shows now.
    Regards, Jim

  14. #8
    Deceased August 31st, 2020 englishman_ca's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    08-15-2020 @ 07:19 AM
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    378
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:52 AM
    Thread Starter
    There really were not that many carbines made compare to the rifles.

    Most that I found locally have decent bores. That tells me that they were cleaned after use and maintained by their owners even in their sportered state.

    A sportered carbine is the nicest little deer gun for dogging that you could wish for. Some sporters I will keep as sporters.


    This is my pet. 1899 LEC Mk.I. Rear peep sighted. The comb on the butt and the pistol grip are added with wood taken from the front section of the forearm.
    Last edited by englishman_ca; 07-05-2016 at 10:52 AM. Reason: spellng

  15. Thank You to englishman_ca For This Useful Post:


  16. #9
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:52 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by englishman_ca View Post
    A sportered carbine is the nicest little deer gun for dogging that you could wish for. Some sporters I will keep as sporters.
    I would think they would have been gleaned as new from surplus and sold for hunting for exactly the reasons you say. If newish they'd be very attractive and I'd keep mine in good shape too.
    Regards, Jim

  17. #10
    Deceased August 31st, 2020 englishman_ca's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    08-15-2020 @ 07:19 AM
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    378
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:52 AM
    Thread Starter

    1895 LMC Mk.I


    This one was worth saving. All matching Mk.I complete with D-ring.

    Last edited by englishman_ca; 07-08-2016 at 08:18 AM.

  18. Thank You to englishman_ca For This Useful Post:


+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. 1898 Lee Enfield Cavalry Carbine
    By Heli-Mech in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 08-10-2014, 05:07 PM
  2. Buttplate swap - Lee Metford/Enfield MLM/MLE for LEC1 Carbine
    By Bluenoser in forum The Restorer's Corner
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 02-28-2014, 10:36 AM
  3. Restoration of a Spanish Mauser Cavalry Carbine
    By m4a3sherman in forum The Restorer's Corner
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 04-02-2012, 10:57 AM
  4. Canadian Lee Enfield Cavalry Carbine
    By K31 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 03-08-2011, 09:16 PM
  5. Lee Metford Cavalry Carbine Mk1
    By 8udr in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 09-18-2010, 09:45 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks