Original British WWI Lee-Metford Carbine dated 1894 Converted to L.E.C. MkI* in 1903 with New Zealand Surcharge – Serial 1699 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is one rare bird, and probably the first time we have had an example of one of these rare carbines! It started life as an 1894 dated Lee-Metford MkI .303 caliber carbine, and then was converted to a Lee-Enfield Cavalry Carbine MkI* in 1903. It still retains the early pattern “dust cover” for the bolt, as well as the magazine cutoff, which were very often removed later. As a cavalry carbine it has a down turned bolt handle, to avoid getting tangled in the tack of the horse.

The action is marked with serial 1699 on the right side of the chamber ring, which matches the serial number on the barrel. The butt stock cup fitting is marked with the production information, which helps trace the history of the carbine. As this is a Lee-Metford Carbine, the original marking is on the left side of the cup, and reads:

On the top right of the stock cup it is marked:

(Queen’s Crown)
V.R.
ENFIELD
1894.
I.

First, the royal cypher Crown over V.R., for Victoria Regina. Well, this Queen, longest lived of all British monarchs, had an influence far beyond the British Isles and the British Empire during the Nineteenth Century. Victorian morals dominated the cultured classes of Great Britain and the new United States, and even now, in the Twenty-First Century, nostalgic organizations such as the Victorian Riflemen thrive in the former Colonies.

ENFIELD indicates that the first incarnation of this piece was produced by the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock and 1894 was the year of original manufacture. “I” indicates that it began live as a “Carbine, Magazine, Lee-Metford Mark I”. In other words, it began live as a Lee-Metford Cavalry Carbine. As the Lee-Enfield was not introduced, there was no need to add a model name such as “L.E.”. How can one measure how much history this rifle has seen? Think Second Anglo-Boer War in South Africa. There are no stars indicating that it was produced as a modified first version.

Like all Lee-Metfords, the barrel and rifling were not sturdy enough to withstand the new smokeless powder configuration, which put this carbine in line to be converted, and this information is stamped below the original production marking:

(King’s Crown)
E.R.
ENFIELD
1903
L.E.C.
I*

As it was converted after Queen Victoria’s death in 1901, this marking bears the “King’s Crown” Royal Cypher of King Edward VII of England. The marking also indicates it was modified at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock in 1903 to the “Carbine, Magazine, Lee-Enfield, Mark I*”, or Lee–Enfield Cavalry Carbine Mk I* standard, introduced in 1899. Soon after this, it was shipped to New Zealand, which a the time was still a Colony of the British Empire. The right side of the stock cup is marked:

N Z (Broad Arrow)
1373
1903

It is also marked on the butt stock unit disk with:

N (Broad Arrow) Z
1919
1851

We have unfortunately not been able to determine if the “1903” and “1919” markings are dates, but it does seem clear that it was sent to New Zealand during the early 20th Century, and most likely remained there for some time. It does not look to have seen extensive use however.

The carbine is in very good condition, with a lovely stock, and much of the finish still retained on the metalwork. It cycles correctly with a crisp dry fire, though we do not know if the magazine will feed correctly. We checked the bore, and it is in very good condition, showing crisp lands and grooves and a mostly bright finish.

A very rare Lee-Metford Carbine converted to a Lee-Enfield Carbine for further service. In great shape and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1894. Converted 1903.
Caliber: .303 British
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 21.2 Inches
Overall Length: 40 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot