June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
This exact style rifle can be seen on page 118 in the "Lee-Enfield" book by Skennerton. This rifle is very similar to the Lee Metford Mk I; features the long full stock, short one piece forend, separate buttstock with pistol grip, no disc on right side, and sighting wheel on left side of forend. The Mk I was approved in 1889 and the smokeless cartridge .303 cordite Mk I was approved in 1891. The right side band is stamped "BSA Company". Has a trapdoor brass buttplate with brass oiler. Four sling swivels. Forward bridge is stamped "For Cordite Only". Considered the MLE with Enfield rifled barrel, rather than the Metford rifling. This all original rifle is almost never seen and this example remains in extraordinary original condition. Barrel, bands, frame and dust cover retain virtually all of their original blue finish. Original stock is excellent, high gloss walnut with usual dings. Even the trigger guard retains the majority of the original blue. Sighting disc has all of its blue, as does the 500 yard rear sight. Has the base for the Parker Hale rear side on left side. In addition, this rifle comes with the rare boxed Parker sniper long range front glass optical attachment with the glass rear peep eye attachment; lined in purple velvet. This rare original sight is as scarce as the rifle. The production and survival rate of these guns is unknown but were made for a very short time, as the SMLE Model was introduced ion 1901. One of the finest condition of these rifles we have ever seen.