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As promised, here are a few shots of the rifle. I have now stripped it to inspect and found no pitting below the woodline. It's a piece of luck that no former owners aggressively cleaned this rifle. The barrel and receiver have some remaining bluing but heavily patinated with a touch of rust. All I've done is wipe it down with an oily rag. As mentioned above, the bore is great. Overall it is in very good mechanical condition and, so-far, everything seems correct. From a quick glance at a book on .45-70 Springfields it appears many of the parts were borrowed from the Trapdoor line- sights, bands, maybe barrel? Also appears to be some kind of oval cartouche on the stock that resembles those on contemporary "Springfields". I didn't bother to photograph pieces while disassembled as jmoore's thread on these rifles covers it all. It is fascinating to contrast this rifle with the earliest bona-fide Lee-Enfields (Lee-Metford Mk I) to see what survivied and what was significantly changed. Now, if I can just locate a magazine!
Ridolpho
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05-03-2018 11:57 AM
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Nice looking old rifle...
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1879 Magazine
It took me about ten years to find mine. Finally found one on Gun Broker for $35.00.
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Have you tried S&S (they have mentioned that from time to time that they have one-off items not advertised) or perhaps Hayes Otoupalik?
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M1879 Remington Lee
I recently purchased a nice 1897 from Collector's Firearms. It was without a magazine and had an incorrect ramrod made from what appears to be a cut-down 50/70 rod. I purchased a magazine from S&S but it turned out to be for the longer .43 Spanish cartridge. I did find a proper magazine in comparable condition to the rifle but it set me back $300. I also found a bayonet for it but no scabbard. The bayonet is 24" overall so its longer than a trapdoor bayonet. This makes since since the rifle is shorter by about the same amount. I purchased a repro 1855 R-L ramrod from S&S. It is perfect, or will be once it's been shortened about 3" to 3-1/4". I also have a R-L cartridge belt that I suspect is a for a model 1899. I've installed an early trapdoor sling on it but it is too long to draw up tight. I have a couple of questions:
Does anyone know what sling the Navy used on these rifles?
Does anyone know where I can get good a book covering these rifles and accessories?
Thanks
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Originally Posted by
Brit-Tex
a nice 1897
That's a REALLY nice one...
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Michigan Naval Reserves on parade at Campus Martius, Detroit, Michigan, Decoration Day, 1895. Men are armed with Remington-Lee rifles in .45-70. Naval Reserves do not have magazines inserted in rifles.
Michigan State Troops around 1900 with model 1899 Remington-Lee rifles in .30-40. Sgt. in group shot has a Krag.
I imagine the slings are like Rolling-Block slings.
Attachment 95250Attachment 95251Attachment 95252Attachment 95253Attachment 95254
Last edited by butlersrangers; 08-18-2018 at 03:44 PM.
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Ridolpho
I just happened to be scanning one of my favorite auction sites and saw something that will interest you. Cowan Auctions in Cincinatti is having an auction on Sept 12th I believe, the item I think you should pay attention to is item 322 A Mills web belt with 5 pouches, each containing a Remington Lee magazine and also has loops with several original cartridges. Look at their website and click on upcomming auctions. Starting bid is 250 Good luck!!!
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There might be hope. A couple of years ago there was a bunch of Remington Lee and Lee Navy parts at the Ward's auction in Edmonton. I had no actual use for them so I passed but I am sure there was a 1879 mag in the lot. Post on CGN with a WTB you never know what will turn up. You know that you have a hoarding problem when you haven't seen the top of your snooker table for ten years