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    Legacy Member rescuerandy2's Avatar
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    Lee Metford Magazine

    Good Evening,

    Looking at an 1889 Lee Metford Mark I*. The LM does not have its magazine, and I am hoping for some leads on purchasing an original before I die.

    Thanks,
    Randy
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    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.
     

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    Legacy Member superbee's Avatar
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    I am also looking for a lee metford magazine.I have a lee speed sporter built on a lee metford action, but it is a 6 round sporter mag.Rare as hen's teeth!

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    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Both of you might have better luck by placing a WTB in the correct forum. That way the right people will see and respond... https://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=100
    Regards, Jim

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    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rescuerandy2 View Post
    Good Evening,

    Looking at an 1889 Lee Metford Mark I*. The LM does not have its magazine, and I am hoping for some leads on purchasing an original before I die.

    Thanks,
    Randy
    Approximately how old are you now?
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

    Much changes, much remains the same.

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    Roger Payne's Avatar
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    Yes, I also thought 'ante mortem' was being a bit optimistic......

    But good luck both, all the same.
    Last edited by Roger Payne; 04-11-2020 at 11:03 AM.

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    Deceased August 31st, 2020 englishman_ca's Avatar
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    The only mags on the loose are ones taken from stripped rifles.

    I made up a wooden dummy mag and painted it black for display. I gave it away to another collector and cant find any pics.

    Another chap made one on his 3D printer, again just for display. It looked good.

    The mag is an eight round single stack unit. Quite a narrow mag well. I have found nothing even close that could I could modify to fit.

    I keep looking.

    A large part of the fun is the hunt for parts for project rifles.In twenty years of hunting, I have found only two complete 8 round single stack mags and one platform and spring!

    Bolt heads with the shroud are another part that is hard to find too.

    I know more than one collector who has a MLM Mk.I missing both bolt and mag.

    Probably many bolts and mags still sitting in a drawer or up on top of a barn beam somewhere. Why do people take them out??? Doh!

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    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by englishman_ca View Post
    Probably many bolts and mags still sitting in a drawer or up on top of a barn beam somewhere. Why do people take them out??? Doh!
    I've always hated that part too.
    Regards, Jim

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    Legacy Member Bindi2's Avatar
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    In the days before mandatory rifle safes it made the rifle useless if stolen so a cheap effective security system. Which still cant be beaten, safes can and are beaten.

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    Legacy Member Bruce_in_Oz's Avatar
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    Given the lineage of the Lee Metfords, would a magazine for a .30-40 1899 Remington Lee be close? Good luck with those, as well!

    I've seen a few .45-70 ones for earlier models around, so....

    Are we at the stage when it is economically viable and technically "affordable" to make "new" ones; suitably "different' of course? The more ambitious could take a basic SMLE mag, perform a little surgery to narrow the body appropriately, TIG it back together and there's the mag. case. Now for the nifty curved, flat lifter spring and the follower!

    It won't look quite "right", because the eight-round mag for a Mk 1 and Mk1* being single column is "taller" and thus sticks down a bit more below the line of the trigger-guard bow.

    And, remember if you have an early Metford, there was supposed to be a short chain attaching the magazine to that loop at the front of the trigger-guard.

    Something to contemplate whilst "confined".

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    Deceased August 31st, 2020 englishman_ca's Avatar
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    Ya, one of the hardest parts to find for a MLM Mk.I is that little chain link. More of a spring clip, they are removable, so often they are missing.

    Attachment 107056

    These seem to be generally issued. I think that the mags with a short chain were from the very first issue of the rifle when it came with two magazines. One on the rifle with the short chain so that it could be dropped and the second mag inserted. The first mag not getting lost but still dangling by the chain.

    This wasn't a big hit and I believe that the second mag was recalled to stores fairly quickly. The chain was replaced by the simple link.
    I note that the MLM Mk.II had a more robust chain link that wasn't readily removable. There was a link expander on the combination tool. But for the most part, that one mag would stay with that rifle.

    As for modifying a ten round double stack mag into a seven, maybe six round single stack. Great idea! I am sure that it could be done. But one would need to be very skilled with sheet metal welding.
    Attachment 107060
    The original construction used braising to join the sheet metal. Those Victorians craftsmen could make some amazing stuff.
    Attachment 107061
    The platform would be another challenge.
    Attachment 107062
    .
    Attachment 107063
    Last edited by englishman_ca; 04-12-2020 at 07:47 PM.

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