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**BOER WAR ERA**British WD Lee Speed Patent BSA & M Co (Lee Enfield MK 1).303 Calibre Rifle Magazine Cut Off, Long Range Volley Sights & Sling**UK / EU DEACTIVATION CERTIFICATED** Sn 19367 - 19367 The Lee-Enfield .303 MK 1 was introduced into the British Army in 1895 and in Canada the year following. It replaced the Lee-Metford, which had been the standard issue firearm since 1889. The latter was a magazine-fed repeating rifle, but it fired cartridges using black powder which emitted smoke when fired that gave away the rifleman's position. In 1891, the British first produced cordite a propellant that burned cleanly without emitting smoke. It also generated more heat, however, which wore out the Lee-Metford's rifling system of seven shallow grooves. A new rifling system was developed at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, consisting of five deep grooves that could withstand the intense heat generated by the cordite. The result was the .303 Lee-Enfield MK 1 rifle, in all respects identical to the Lee-Metford except for the rifling. The new rifle saw service in the Boer wars and beyond. This is an excellent .303 calibre Lee Enfield MK 1 bolt action rifle by BSA & M Co. It is crisply stamped on the right side of the strap ‘Lee Speed Patents BSA & M Co’. The rifle is number 8231 and has British WD ordnance mark together with ‘FF787’. The top of the barrel shank has BSA’s piled arms trade mark. It has a winged blade fore sight, long range volley sights, graduated ladder sight, bayonet bar, sling swivels fitted with webbing sling & magazine cut off (fixed in place during the deactivation process). The wood work is all original and in excellent condition with just light bumps and bruises to be expected. The stock has a brass butt plate with trap. Deactivated to UK / EU specification in 2022 the weapon’s bolt & trigger move & the magazine can be removed. The price includes UK delivery and UK / EU deactivation certificate. Sn 19367
£1,200.00
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