£3,999.99
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An EXTREMELY EARLY (1905) Prototype SMLE Sht Magazine Lee Enfield no1****. .303 Bolt Action Rifle.
Apparently LSA, Sparkbrook and BSA produced various options and models before THE main Lee Enfield factory was built as the main hub of manufacture.
Happy to stand corrected / any ACCURATE information on these early rifles. I have little doubt there is plenty out there as these are such ICONIC and well documented Historical pieces.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Small_Arms_Co._Ltd
THIS example is part of the MAKING of that HISTORY. A prototype Short Magazine Lee Enfield and AGAIN in Simply IMMACULATE condition. A SERIOUS Collectors Piece certainly but THIS WOULD and perhaps SHOULD belong in the National Armoury Museum. No doubt they already do have similar. IF not, I AM CERTAIN they would want it. However, both ARE here and for sale to the first discerning, dedicated and enthusiastic collector who finds them.
Inward Arched, Hand Cut Chequered Topped, Front Sight Bead Side Protectors.
It even features Windage Adjustment.
Reasonably common but Always an Extra Nice feature Side Mounted Dial Volley Sight.
Take a SERIOUS look at the Rear Battle Sight. Graduated from 200 Yards right through to 2000. Sub-divided in 100- and 200-yard increments as the range increases. AGAIN, with Micrometre Windage Adjustment built into the actual ‘V’ sight. Push Button Release Fast Slide Elevation with Hand Cut Chequering of the apparently Whale Bone grip buttons. No plastic around in 1900’s!
All protected by Again Hand Cut chequering topped shoulders. ATTACHED to and part of the Rear Clip-on Top Wood.
Magazine Cut Off. Perhaps the biggest and most easily obvious difference the SLIDING Magazine Charger Guide. This is attached to the Bolt Itself. Pulled fully back a corresponding charger clip slot aligns with its opposite side. Fixed in position to the left side of the action. Push forward to load and lock the bolt and it slides back over to allow operation.
Flip up Peep / Volley Sight mounted to the left side of the action along with the safety.
ALL fully stamped up with Military Crows Foot along with British Nitro Proof (BNP).
An original Brass Oil Bottle with correct Military Pull Through inside the Hinged Trap Door to the Brass Butt Plate.
24 ¼” (615mm) Barrel set to a 13 7/8” (353mm) Stock / Trigger Pull. Overall, the rifle measures 44 7/8” (1140mm) including the bayonet stub. Tips the scales as pictured with its sling at a near enough 8 Lbs 5 ¼ oz (3.776 Kg).
The Action Band detailed with a Crown and ER below for Edward Regina, the then King. Date stamped for 1905 and SHt LE MKI ***
Woodwork is all but IMMACULATE too. Excellent Strong Straight and Tightly Packed Grain pattern too. I DARE say this will shoot as good as it looks. Another Obviously, EXTREMELY WELL cared for since it was first made 120+ years ago. Certainly, all previous owners ‘Pride and Joy’ in their respective cabinets / collections.
Even if it can’t hit a proverbial ‘barn door’, with a rifle like this many simply won’t care. It IS THAT Nice as well as THAT RARE and COLLECTABLE. The pure pleasure of just firing a few rounds down range has potential to transport you back in time. Having the opportunity to fire an actual Historical piece that led to the NEVER to be forgotten British Lee Enfield Legacy.
A Very Similar Sparkbrook example dated 1907 sold in Holts September 2021 Main Sale. Lot 1116. The hammer went down at £2800 with commission and VAT to add. Grand Total £3640. IF that was trade there would be a profit to factor in on top too. WAY over £260.
