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First produced by the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield in 1853, it is the first of a long line of famous Enfield rifles. This model has the percussion lock and the rifled barrel has three grooves, with a pitch of one turn in 78 inches. It was an excellent weapon in its day, capable of grouping into 4 inches at 100 yards and 27 inches at 500 yards. A good marksman could expect to hit a man at 600 yards and fire at a rate of three shots a minute.
The rifle is capable of driving a 500 grain soft lead bullet through 4 inches of timber at a range of 1000 yards and kill even beyond this distance. It first saw service in the Crimean War and later in the Indian Mutiny.
The Museum's example is a 2nd pattern, having solid barrel bands held by Springs. Manufactured in 1856, by the trade not by Enfield, it is fully Ordnance marked with sale stamp, but has no regimental markings. The weapon is brass mounted. The ram rod is incorrect being a 3rd pattern; it requires a 1st pattern ram rod to be correct.
Barrel Length : 39 inches, Calibre : .577 inches. See also Weapon No 25.
Weapon No 4
Rifle Snider .577 inch (1872)
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In 1864 a committee was set up to consider the practicability of introducing breech loading, and designers were encouraged to concentrate their attention on perfecting a method. After exhausting trials at Woolwich Arsenal. during which some fifty different systems were tested, this one by the American, Jacob Snider of New York was chosen (1866). Muzzle loading rifles of the .577 inch Enfield pattern 1853 were converted and re-designated Mk I Snider/Enfield. This system was also adopted by Denmark and the United States. Most of the success of this system was due to the introduction of the brass cased boxer cartridge, which expanded on firing to provide a gas seal to the rear of the bullet, the first British official arm where the cartridge was designed to do the work of stopping the escape of gas at the breech.
The Museum's example is not a conversion; but a newly built Snider. It is Commercial version with Birmingham proof mark for 25 bore. It has a Mark 3 breech; the lock is marked 'Tower 1872' and has the Crown and VR, but does not have the stamp of a government weapon. It has 3 groove rifling with a pitch of one turn in 78 inches. The ram rod is 33 inches and has the squared end making it from a Snider conversion short rifle and therefore not correct for this weapon. The weapon is brass mounted.
Barrel Length : Not recorded, Calibre Nominal : .577 inches.
Weapon No 7
Artillery Carbine .303 inch Martini Enfield (1897)
(converted from Martini-Henry 1884 Mk III Action)
(converted from Martini-Henry 1884 Mk III Action)
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A Martini-Enfield artillery carbine. The Martini action has been retained, with an Enfield rifled barrel being fitted. This barrel is identified by the letter 'E' being stamped on the top exterior breech end. A number of these were still in use for home service in World War 1. Also used with cadets for rifle training due to the fact they were shorter than rifles.
Barrel Length : 20 inches, Calibre : .303 inches.
Weapon No 8
Rifle Long Lee-Enfield No I Mk I (1897)
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Adopted in November 1895, it is a 'Lee' designed action with an 'Enfield Rifled' barrel. The Lee bolt action was first used in December 1888 but was fitted with a Metford rifling barrel. This was in the days of the black-powder loaded cartridge which had a soft lead bullet. With the introduction of 'cordite' and the cupro-nickel jacketed bullet, the result of wear and tear in the barrel was disastrous, especially at the breech end. The life span of the Metford barrel was reduced from 10,000 to 4200 rounds, when barrels became completely unserviceable. The answer to this was a new form of rifling developed at the RSAF Enfield. This was approved and embodied in what was previously the Lee-Metford rifle, and it was introduced in the British Service as the 'Lee-Enfield' Magazine Rifle Mk 1. The sights were also modified. It saw service in Boer War.
The Museum's example was modified in 1908 for clip loading. Other modifications were made to the sight protector and backsight to allow target shooting. Marked - Issue mark '12 L.D.' (probably for the 12th Light Dragoons). Rack Number 787.
Barrel Length : 30¼ inches, Calibre : .303 inches.
Weapon No 9
Carbine Magazine Lee-Metford Mk I
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Adopted in 1897, being a shortened version of the Lee-Metford Rifle Mk II. This example is a cavalry carbine.
Markings - butt stamp for the Royal Manufactuary Enfield Class I. It has a dust cover to the bolt and a 5 round magazine.
Barrel Length : 30 7/8 inches, Calibre : .303 inches.
Weapon No 10
Rifle No 1 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk Ill*
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Adopted during World War 1, and made in very large quantities, is still in widespread use throughout the world. Does not have the long range sights of earlier models. The RSAF at Enfield made over 2 million of this model and the No 1 Mk 111. BSA made 1,601,608 and LSA made several hundred thousand. It went out of production in the UK in 1943, but was still being produced in Australia and India up until 1955.
This example is manufactured by BSA and has had the Magazine cut off removed. Dating from around World War 1.
Serial No C9777
Weapon No 11
Rifle .303 inch No 3 Mk I(T)
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The production model of the P13 (see Weapon No 55), introduced as the P14 (Pattern 14). This rifle was made in the United States in .303 inch calibre for the UK during World War 1. The weapon was classed as limited standard in the British Army and, except for sniping, was not too widely used. When the United States entered World War 1, the design was changed to US calibre .30 inch and produced as the US rifle cal .30 in M1917, but still commonly known as the 'Enfield'.
In 1926 when British small srms were given number designations, the P14 became the Rifle No 3 Mk 1.
The Museum's rifle was made up complete as a Sniper rifle; the Army Issue scope, bolt and weapon marked with the same serial number.
Serial No 198665
Weapon No 12
Rifle .303 inch No 4 Mk I
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Originally appeared in 1931 and was finely made. It was redesigned for mass production in 1939 and, together with the Mk I*, became the British 'work horse' of World War 2. Three different types of rear sight may be found on this weapon, ranging from a finely machined adjustable leaf to the simple 'L' type flip-over. Many of these weapons are still in service in the British Commonwealth and in former British territories.
Serial No Y7091
Weapon No 13
Rifle .303 inch No 5 Mk I
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Appearing towards the end of World War 2 (manufactured in 1945), this was a lightweight weapon and was commonly called the 'Jungle Carbine'. It had a lightened and shortened barrel which is fitted with a flash-hider.
The stock fore-end has been cut back and rounded, which tends to give the appearance of a sporting rifle. A rubber pad fitted to the butt provides extra protection against recoil. Some of these weapons were manufactured in Australia out of Coach wood.
Serial No BB0633
Weapon No 49
Rifle .303 inch Long Lee-Enfield Mk I*
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In 1902, consequent on substituting Enfield barrels for Metford barrels, it was decided they would become Lee-Enfield Rifles Mk 1, if they had the old pattern fore-end and nose-cap which were grooved for the clearing rod. Rifles fitted with solid fore-end and nose-cap were designated Rifles Long Lee Enfield Mk I*.
Weapon No 50
Rifle .303 inch Long Lee-Enfield Mk I*
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Almost identical to Weapon No 49, except that this model is fitted with a bolt associated with the Rifle Magazine Lee-Metford Mk II* (1895), where the safety catch has been fitted to the cocking piece. Both Weapons No 49 and 50 were produced by BSA Co Ltd, who at this particular time, apart from being under Government contract and producing rifles to specification, were also accepting private orders. It might well be that one or both of these weapons were made to order.
Weapon No 51
Rifle Charger Loading Lee-Enfield Mk I
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A Lee-Enfield conversion to charger loading adopted in 1907. New front and rear sights were also fitted; the rear sight is adjustable for windage. This is an example of the 'bastardisation' of the Lee-Enfield Rifle that was taking place about this time. It has the fore-end of the Mk 1 and the nose-cap of the Mk I*.
Weapon No 52
Rifle .303 inch No 1 Mk II*
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A converted Long Lee-Enfield Mk I* to the British short magazine Lee-Enfield, similar to the SMLE No I Mk II*. This was adopted in 1906.
Weapon No 53
Rifle .22 inch No 2 Mk IV*
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Adopted in 1921 and introduced into the service as .22 Cal Rim-Fire Short Rifle Mk IV. They are conversions from the SMLE Marks III and III*, using new .22 inch calibre barrels. It is a single shot weapon. When rifle nomenclature changed in 1926, this rifle became Rifle No 2 Mk IV*.
Weapon No 54
Rifle No 1 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk V
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Made in limited quantities in 1922, this rifle was never officially adopted. Its rear sight is on the receiver bridge and it has an additional upper band and a one piece handguard.
Weapon No 55
Rifle Patt 13 (PI3)
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Tested in 1913, this was a modified Mauser which was made in comparatively small numbers for field trials. It was chambered for a large calibre .276 inch cartridge, similar to the Canadian cal .280 inch Ross Cartridge.
Weapon No 56
Rifle .303 inch No 3 ERA (Emergency Reserve Arm)
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The same rifle as Weapon No 11, less the telescopic sight. Without the sight, it was used by the Emergency Reserve Arm. With the sight, it was used for sniping.
Weapon No 69
Rifle .303 inch Ross Mk III
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Although Ross Rifles have not been used as first line weapons since mid World War 1, there are still a large number of them amongst collectors and sportsmen. There are two basic variations of the .303 inch Ross and a number of minor variations to the basics. This Mk III, frequently called the M1910, is easily identified by its magazine protruding below the stock. It also has several variations of front and rear sights. The magazine of the Mk III can be loaded by charger and the cut-off is assembled on the left rear of the receiver. All Ross Rifles are straight pull bolt actions.
Weapon No 70
Rifle .303 inch No 1 Mk III*
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A SMLE made in ISHAPORE Arsenal India in 1919.
Weapon No 122
British Lee-Enfield Carbine
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This weapon has been identified as a Lee-Enfield but may well have started life as a Lee-Metford. The many stamps on the receiver indicate that this particular model was at some time bought by Bannerman, the New York dealer, who bought up quantities of arms and either converted them to sporting use or resold immediately. This one was sold for drill purpose (stamped DP) and therefore has an unsafe barrel.
Weapon No 347
Rifle .303 inch No I (Darra Manufacture)
This rifle was presented by the Pakistan Army to the REME Training Wing. It is a copy of the Lee-Enfield rifle, as made by tribesmen of the North West Frontier of India in their primitive underground workshops.
Weapon No 362
Rifle Martini-Henry .45 inch
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The conversion of Enfield Rifles to breech loaders was only a temporary measures. Experiments had shown the advantages of a smaller calibre weapon in reducing the weight of the cartridge, thus increasing velocity and flatness of trajectory. In 1867 a new committee was formed to enquire into this. The outcome was the Martini-Henry. The action was designed by M Frederich von Martini of Switzerland and the barrel by Mr Alexander Henry of Edinburgh. The original design underwent numerous changes before this model was approved in 1887. The Sudan War of 1884-5 was fought with the Martini-Henry Mk I and II with some startling results. Most rifles jammed after the first volley, many others at the second and throughout an engagement an estimated one-third of the troops were unarmed, the main fault being failure to extract. The Mk IV was never issued to service, but to Metropolitan volunteers. They were mainly made up from the obsolete .402 rifles, of which about 60 000 were in various stages of manufacture at Enfield.
Weapon No 363
Rifle Snider 1867 - Conversion
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In 1864 a committee was set up to consider the practicability of introducing breech loading, and designers were encouraged to concentrate their attention on perfecting a method. After exhausting trials at Woolwich Arsenal. during which some fifty different systems were tested, the one by the American, Jacob Snider of New York was chosen (1866). Muzzle loading rifles of the .577 inch Enfield pattern 1853 were converted and re-designated Mk I Snider/Enfield. This system was also adopted by Denmark and the United States. Most of the success of this system was due to the introduction of the brass cased boxer cartridge, which expanded on firing to provide a gas seal to the rear of the bullet, the first British official arm where the cartridge was designed to do the work of stopping the escape of gas at the breech.
The Museum's example has one or two design changes. It is shorter in overall length, provided with a lug for the attachment of a bayonet and the rear swivel is located on the stock, not on the trigger guard. This model was issued for sea service.
Weapon No 366
(Skeletonised) Rifle Martini-Henry
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Detail as for Weapon No 362. Skeletonised for interest or instructional purposes.
Museum Number - E:02.0157.06
Weapon No 368
Rifle (SMLE) No 1 Mk Ill*
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Detail as for Weapon No 10. This weapon has a cut-away bolt for interest or instructional purposes.
Weapon No 441
Carbine Martini Henry - .45 inch Mk I 1885
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An earlier version of Weapon No 7. It first came into service in 1871 and was adopted by the British Army in that year. The action was developed by a Swiss named F Martini and the barrel and rifling was the work of A Henry of Edinburgh. The British Service Rifle was first used in competition at Wimbledon in 1873.
Weapon No 479
Rifle .303 No 4 Mk I
Details as for Weapon No 12.
Weapon No 614
Rifle .22 inch RF No 9 Mk 1
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Earlier Lee Enfield rifles had been converted to .22 inch calibre for target shooting
at short ranges. After
Weapon No A:2001.4375
Carbine Martini-Henry 1886
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Manufactured by BSA & M Co
Transcription left side of breech - VR/ENFIELD/1886/ME303/ACI
Transcription right side of breech - ?BSA & M Co/1886/III/I
Transcription brass stud on stock - //11.18.98/V/1.NT B.A/033
Museum Number - A:2001.4375