Lee Enfields of all variants in Afghanistan

Built a rifle rack for the British/Afghan connection in the shop.

IMG_7994_British_collection_jpg-1009558.JPG


CD
 
If you come across an original 5 rd sporting magazine I'd sure like to obtain it! My BSA sporter was built with a 5 rounder but in the following hundred years of its life it at sometime was swapped out for a GI 10 rd magazine.
 
Don't think the MLE has a magazine. I've only seen 3 magazines in in over 2 years here in all the Enfields total.


CD
 
Magazine, Lee Enfield Mk1 (MLE) sans magazine. Also known as the Long Lee. Notice lack of stripper clip guide. Brits had lost many man and battles to the South African Boers in the late 1890s due to the lack of sustain fire. Brits would later have this feature added to the next generation in the SMLE. Still figuring if this is real or copy. Gun is correct, machined parts and not hand made as seen before with Khyber pass guns. Receiver markings are wrong however ie No crown or date. Should be around 1895-1898, JAG/Custom paperwork done to mail home as an antique however.

IMG_8303.jpg IMG_8312.jpg IMG_8313.jpg IMG_8314.jpg

New group photo.
MLE, LSA pre1898
SMLE, Enfield 1914
P14, Remington est 1917
No4 Mk1, Longbranch 1944
No3 MkIII, GRI 1955

IMG_8311.jpg


CD
 
Last edited:
This weeks battlefield pickups. Had couple more AK-47s. Chinese Type 56-1 underfolder and a Romanian AKMS. Both in good condition. Then there are the bolt guns. Two were totally wrapped up but sights and action usable. Far left in white bed sheet is a No.4 Mk 1 Enfield with a 1943 date. Date is all crooked with a "B" above it (Birmingham Small Arms). Middle two are SMLEs both made by BSA 1915 and 1918. On the left wearing a black wrap is a M1891 Mosin-Nagant made by Ishevsk in 1921, Hex receiver in poor condition. I'll post more pictures as I break them down.

IMG_7898_jpg-1003379.JPG

IMG_7899_jpg-1003380.JPG


CD
A bit off topic, but why do they wrap those rifles, anyway?
 
A bit off topic, but why do they wrap those rifles, anyway?
I think the No4 Mk 1 was for winter camo. Guns found in cache. Don't have a clue for black on the MN except maybe night ops. Did take the MN to the range this afternoon. Key holing at 15 yds and case sticking in the chamber for all 4 rounds. Dedicated wall hanger for that one. Stock was busted up on that one.

CD
 
Not mine but at another location here. Top two are a No 4 Mk 1's made by Savage. Bottom is an early stripper clip charger system to the Enfield series.
3e84aff7-0c47-4ac3-89ce-dc37d67060a1.JPG 3e84aff7-4c47-43da-840f-60288ee0f68d.JPG 3e84aff7-fa85-4d16-992c-6fe44af00701.JPG

Charger system with bolt moving.


CD
 
I do not recognize the cypher mark on the BSA. Looks like Taj Mahal but I've only seen crowns on BSAs. Can you elucidate? Khyber Pass gun?
 
Been researching it today too. Don't know the crest. Don't think KP will build a prototype system. But who knows.

CD
 
Charger Loading Lee Enfields were long lees that had a charger bridge and adjustable rear sight added. A long lee that was converted to SMLE specs. is a Con’d MkII or II*. The one in post #51 looks like a new built MkI because the stop for charger guide is cast into the body rather than added later. The MLE MkI you picked even still has the cleaning rod which was discontinued in 1899 if I’m remembering correctly.
It must be fascinating to see the vast array of weapons in use over there.
 
Took the MLE out to the range yesterday with 3 rounds of .303. Got 3 dud rounds :( Good hit on the primers however. Need to find more .303 that was cared for better.

CD
 
Took the MLE out to the range yesterday with 3 rounds of .303. Got 3 dud rounds :( Good hit on the primers however. Need to find more .303 that was cared for better.

CD
But you tried!! No reloading capability there? Then again, finding components and dies might be tricky... I'd bet the Khyber Pass Armory guys could whip up a few rds. :eek:
 
But you tried!! No reloading capability there? Then again, finding components and dies might be tricky... I'd bet the Khyber Pass Armory guys could whip up a few rds. :eek:
Had a Lee Classic Handloader offered to me by a friend but lack of primers, correct powder and boxer primers is the issue. Can use .311 bullets pulled from either 7.62x39 or 7.62x54R.


CD
 
Customs paperwork completed and MLE mailed home! Should arrive in NC while I'm home on leave and I'll get a chance to shoot it there too :)

CD
Good thing I never really talked to recruiters. If they had told me I could mail home rifles, I'd probably have signed up.
 
It looks like a commercial version made by BSA for private use or export. Is there a number engraved on the trigger guard?
 
If there is, it was sold through the army and navy cooperative society in London. You can access the sales records to find out who bought it back in the day.
 
Set the Wayback machine a few decades. Back when I was in that part of the world, I marveled at the skill of the Pakistani 'rifle makers' - they scavenged parts that I would have considered unsalvageable, and could take two old beat-up rifles and fab three working ones out of them.
 
Last edited:
Very cool thread! Never been so captivated by a 100 year old piece of wood and pipe. Love the connection with the guns modern natural history.
 
Back
Top Bottom