Lee-Metford Sparkbrook 1895 MKII* Rifle

[vainn80]

Here for your perusal is my Lee-Metford 1895 Sparkbrook MKII* all-matching serial number 47870 (bolt; receiver; rear sight) which later during its life also served with the Royal Navy (WWI?) as shown by the "N" naval ownership stamp on the left side of wrist of butt. It was upgraded to take high-velocity MKVII .303 ammo as shown by the "HV" stamp in front of the sight base. The Lee-Metford MKII dated 1895 was the last of the Lee Metford series; only 5000 were manufactured in Enfield Royal Small Arms Factory and another 7000 were manufactured at the Sparkbrook Royal Small Arms Factory near Birmingham.

 

[vainn80]

A few more details to show proofs etc:

 

[vainn80]

The .303 ammunition designed for the rifle was in fact originally intended to be loaded with a new propellant (cordite). However, as a result of protracted development, production of cordite was delayed, forcing the British to use black powder instead. By the time cordite cartridges were available, it was found that they were wholly unsuited for use with the shallow Metford rifling, which would wear out and render barrels unusable after approximately 6,000 rounds, compared to the 10,000 rounds that the Lee-Enfield could deliver. The Lee-Metford’s rounded rifling (bottom) was found to be unsuitable for use with smokeless powder cartridges and was replaced by the more angular Enfield style (top).

 

[rufrdr]

Incredible condition!

I once owned a Mauser magnum sporter built by Chas. Lancaster in .280 Ross with Metford type rifling. I at first thought the bore was shot out when I looked down the tube!

 

[Combat Diver]

Nice, I found its replacement with the Enfield rifling and set it home from Afghanistan.

CD