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Winning Bid US $840 First bid $350 Quantity 1 # of bids 7 Time left Auction has ended   Started 2025-07-28 00:00:00 Ended 2025-11-21 22:35:25

Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield, Model: Lee-Enfield Mk.1 Carbine, Boer Modified, Cal: .303 British, MFG: 1896 (first year MFG), S/N: 2514, bolt action rifle, 21'' barrel.

HISTORY: The Lee-Enfield Carbine was the updated version of the Lee-Metford Carbines the British cavalry were using before. The Metford rifling in the Lee-Metford was designed for the older black powder when it was adopted in 1888. When Britain switched to the new smokeless powder around 1891 & found it wore out the Metford rifling substantially faster than with black power, only lasting 6,000 rounds before needing replaced. A new rifling design came out of RSAF Enfield, named ''Enfield Rifling''. This rifling would hold up to the new smokeless powder & would be adopted in 1895, making the Lee-Enfield, the carbine would be designed later in 1896. This rifle has had the forearm cut down in the style commonly seen on Boer captured British rifles during the 2nd Boer war (1899-1902). The Boers did this to copy the style of more expensive sporting rifles which were known as ''Kaal-Lope'' or bare barrels. It semi-free floated the barrels making the rifles more accurate & made them lighter, which are two things the Boers wanted as they took long distance shots in hard to reach places. After Britain's experiences in the 2nd Boer war, they would switch to a universal short rifle concept for everyone in 1902 with the SMLE concept. easing manufacture & logistical issues. The lee-carbines would have been issued with shorter 6 shot mags to make them sling better on cavalry troops back. This rifle has a standard 10 round mag.

CONDITION: The two piece, Semi-pistol grip walnut stock is very good with some light nicks, dings, dents & scratches from use/age. The forend has been cut down in the Boer style from the 2nd Anglo Boer war. The right cheek of the stock has an embedded, unmarked brass unit disc. The bottom of the wrist has a couple worn British proofs. The blued metal finish rates 60% overall with spots of wear/thinning showing brown patina & speckled roughness/rust, mostly concentrated near the end of the barrel. The left side of the wrist band is marked with a crown over ''V.R.'', ''ENFIELD'', ''1896'', ''L.E.C.'', ''I.''. rear of the receiver marked with a British proof. Receiver dust cover marked with a British proof. The receiver band is marked with a British proof & the S/N. The left side of the barrel & chamber marked with a couple British proofs. The top chamber flat is marked ''E''. The right side of the chamber marked with the S/N & another British proof. The bottom of the barrel, just ahead of the forend is marked with a long line of British proofs. The bolt handle, trigger guard, barrel band, & other metal parts are marked with small proofs. S/N matching bolt. The bore is good. Its bright but has thinned rifling & some roughness in the grooves. The barrel holds a barleycorn front sight with a elevation adjustable, ladder V-notch rear sight marked 6 to 20. The stock carries a brass trapdoor buttplate. buttplate has scratches, dings, & some patina. old cloth inside trapdoor. The rifle has no sling mounts. A nice example of Boer Captured & modified British rifle from the 2nd Anglo-Boer War. Antique, No FFL Req. - Value: 700 to 1400

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Price

Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield, Model: Lee-Enfield Mk.1 Carbin... Item # 4474 This auction is over. No new bids can be placed. Price: US $840

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