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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Lee Speed Forum & Archive

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szihn
.400 member


Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2100
Loc: Wind River Valley, Wyoming
SMLE magazines
      #227180 - 18/03/13 05:16 AM

Hello to all.
I am in need of 2 magazines for 2 different Lee Rifles.

The 1st one is a 1941 Lithgow. I assume it takes a standard SMLE #1 10 shot mag, but I am not an expert on SMLEs so any advice is welcome from those that know more than I do.

The 2nd rifle is a 1900 Enfield marked L E C I am told it we an Irish Constabulary rifle and it took a 7 round mag. Again I am unsure if that's true info, but I have tried a mag from another #1 MK3 and it would not fit.

If anyone out there can help me I'd appreciate it.


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szihn
.400 member


Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2100
Loc: Wind River Valley, Wyoming
Re: SMLE magazines [Re: szihn]
      #227712 - 29/03/13 08:09 AM

I cannot believe there is not one person in the UK, Canada, Austraila or the USA that can help me.

Not one?


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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26414
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: SMLE magazines [Re: szihn]
      #227714 - 29/03/13 08:54 AM

I only have the 2 #4 (convereted #3's) I need for my own rifles, Steve - I bought them from Gun Parts (or whatever it's called now) in New York, I think it is. What about Brownel's?

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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eagle27
.400 member


Reged: 24/01/09
Posts: 1109
Loc: Nelson, New Zealand
Re: SMLE magazines [Re: DarylS]
      #227715 - 29/03/13 09:12 AM

Here's a couple of links to our NZ auction site where there is some SMLE magazines currently listed. I don't think bidders are allowed from outside NZ. I used to have some myself but sold them off. Could purchase on your behalf and send to you if there was not too much hassle with regulations around gun parts. None at this end anyway but maybe at yours?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/hunting-shooting/firearm-parts/other/auction-575946707.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/hunting-...n-575945311.htm


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2152hq
.300 member


Reged: 20/05/12
Posts: 118
Loc: USA
Re: SMLE magazines [Re: szihn]
      #227730 - 29/03/13 01:50 PM

The WW2 Lithgow SMLE needs a magazine marked '4' on the rear spine.
Follower will be stamped '3' usually.
All this means it's set up for Mk7 ammunition

Any WW1 or WW2 #4 marked magazine will be a correct 'functional' replacement.
A Lithgow mfg magazine will be marked 'MA' on the spine also and probably have a Lithgow inspection mark or two there ( L/^/#).
NO serial number on the magazine,,only Ishapore India Arsenal #'d their magazines
Parkerized or blued finish,,which ever matches the rifle metal finish.

The LEC I (Lee Enfield CArbine Mark I) magazine is a 6 round capacity.
It is nothing more than a cut down standard 10 rd rifle magazine of the day from the MLE (Magazine Lee Enfield) or the MLM (Magazine Lee Metford)
These are 1890's era rifles and carbines.
The magazines differ from the #4 SMLE magazine above in that the SMLE uses a Z shaped spring inside,,the earlier LEC/MLE magazine uses a 'C' shaped spring. There's also a clip that fits over the front edge of the box on these, a different shape to the follower and the overall shape is slightly different as they used earlier Mk6 ammunition.
The SMLE magazines have a small flat spring rivited to the base of the spine to improve locking in position,,the earlier MLE/MLM magazines do not have this spring.
The LEC magazines,,,the mag body is too short for the spring to be an issue.

No serial number(s) on LEC magazines. Usually Arsenal inspector marks on the spine and a small loop
hard soldered to the front face for a short link chain to attach to the trigger guard for safe keeping.

If your Carbine DOES NOT accept a bayonet,,it is not an RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) carbine, nor a New Zealand Carbine. Both of these versions were the only ones made that I know of that took a bayonet.
RIC and NZ carbines are usually stamped '1903' for their year of manufacture IIRC.
These two differ just a bit from each other. The RIC has a slimmer bbl and forend wood. It also has a muzzle ring to make up for the small dia bbl so the bayonet attaches firmly.

The earlier LEC I and the LEC I* do not have attachment to take a bayonet at all.
The '*' denotes the change made in May of 1899 that simply deleted the clearing rod from (all) British rifles and carbines.

The Lithgow marked SMLE magazine should not be too difficult to locate. Short of that, any #4 marked SMLE magazine will do a suitible replacement to function though most Lithgow buyers like the correct ones in place.
The LEC magazines can be tough to find but not impossible. They are not inexpensive when found.

Hope this helps..


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