An 1896 LEC1 Carbine Issued to the Royal Northwest Mounted Police in 1914

[Bluenoser]

I recently picked this up in a trade sight unseen, other than a few photos, with the intention of doing some restoration work. Once in hand, I realized this is one of the 1000 LEC1s drawn from Canadian military stores in 1914 and issued to the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. The RNWMP roundel is partially visible in the right-side toe area of the butt, along with the issue/inventory number (402). The serial number, which matches on the bolt, receiver and barrel, falls within the range of those issued. I believe the "H" on the regimental disc likely indicates it was issued to "H" Division which, to my knowledge, was headquartered in Whitehorse, Yukon at the time. In recognition of this carbine's significance to Canadian and Mounted Police history, and the possibility that repairs to the wood might have been made while in service, I have chosen to not to do any restoration. As can be seen in the photos, there are repaired cracks in the hand guard, a repair to the right cheek of the forestock and a repair to the heel of the butt. There is also some un-repaired damage to the left-side heel of the butt. The bore had surface rust when received. The rust has been removed and the bore is now dark and somewhat frosted with heavy frosting/shallow pitting at the muzzle.
Any and all comments and opinions will be much appreciated. Opinions regarding a value in Canada would also be appreciated.



















Thanks for looking

Information

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[smle addict]

That is a beauty! Congratulations on a very rare "trade!"

[waco16]

Lovely Rifle!

[Strangely Brown]

4 H = 4th Hussars.

Edited to add: What a cracking find!

[RobD]

My LEC1 is from the same batch; same marking, rack number only 3 higher than yours!
I also thought that 4 H = 4th Hussars, but if I am wrong, I would be happy to be corrected.
Rob

[Bluenoser]

It may well be 4th Hussars (1893 - 1932). I was thinking that, since the carbines were drawn from military stores, the regimental discs would likely have been scrubbed of earlier regimental assignments, but that might not have been the case.
RobD Nice looking carbine - and with the rear sight protector, no less.

[Bluenoser]

Not related to this rifle, but I recently came across a photo of three RNWMP Constables holding Lee Metford carbines. All three clearly still had the D rings. I had previously thought that, since the rings had been removed while in military service, they would have also been removed on those going to the RNWMP. As it turns out - not so.