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    Legacy Member roccosimone's Avatar
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    Cleaning rod for a 1896 MLE Enfield rifle

    Can anybody supply me with detailed measurements and specs so that l can make a repro cleaning rod(s) for my 1896 MLE Enfield? I would be interested in buying an original or very good repro rod(s) also. Hope you can help me. Thanks Sam
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    Legacy Member Madzi's Avatar
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    Hope this is of use - rod measurements for my 1895 Volunteer pattern. Rod is missing the jag/tip, but got one on order from Darren at FSS in New Zealandicon. He may be able to do the whole rod for you (although his standard rods seem to be shorter than mine?). If you do want to go down the DIY route, photos attached and measurements are:
    Length: 26"5/8
    Diameter: 3/16"

    Slight guesswork on the threads, but you can count and extrapolate from the 3/16 diameter on the photos. My estimate is circa 10 tpi for the well-end and 18 tpi for the jag-end (not sure if anyone has better measurements). Or confirm on the wellend by removing the wood from your rifle.

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    Legacy Member Terrylee's Avatar
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    Being dated 1896 the rifle is obviously a Magazine Lee Enfield Mk I. As such the clearing rod is 17.25 inches long. Unlike the earlier rods for the Lee Metford Mk I these had to be used on a budy-budy basis with two being joined together before being long enough. Some years ago I made several dozen of these in both the rifle and carbine lengths. It is important to note that the head incorporates a female thread to enable joining. The thread is 3/16 X 26 W.
    I attach two photos. The first shows rifle and carbine rods, two separated and two joined together. The second is a close-up of the two rod ends + the necessary taps and die.

    Attachment 118352Attachment 118353

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    Legacy Member Alan de Enfield's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Terrylee View Post
    Being dated 1896 the rifle is obviously a Magazine Lee Enfield Mk I. As such the clearing rod is 17.25 inches long. Unlike the earlier rods for the Lee Metford Mk I these had to be used on a budy-budy basis with two being joined together before being long enough. Some years ago I made several dozen of these in both the rifle and carbine lengths. It is important to note that the head incorporates a female thread to enable joining. The thread is 3/16 X 26 W.
    I attach two photos. The first shows rifle and carbine rods, two separated and two joined together. The second is a close-up of the two rod ends + the necessary taps and die.

    Attachment 118352Attachment 118353

    I thought that seemed an 'odd' thread,

    3/16" Whitworth is normally 24TPI
    Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...

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    Contributing Member muffett.2008's Avatar
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    BSF IS 26TPI
    WOOPS meant Brass. which is whitworth threadform
    Last edited by muffett.2008; 07-03-2021 at 05:30 AM.

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    Legacy Member Enfieldlock's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by muffett.2008 View Post
    BSF IS 26TPI
    WOOPS meant Brass. which is whitworth threadform
    I believe the thread is 26-1/3TPI. This is the Parker-Hale thread used on cleaning rods.

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    Legacy Member Terrylee's Avatar
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    I have both original Britishicon clearing rods and Parker Hale cleaning rods. Also the appropriate LM and LE rifles. While the Parker Hale thread is incompatible, the 3/16 X 26 Whitworth works perfectly on my reproductions.

  12. #8
    AlexRod85
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    If you want cleaning rod you can use RADCOLUBE gun oil is currently being use in combat operations by the U.S Military so i guess that would help.

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