View Full Version : L59A1 example of the last of the Lee Enfields
Thought I post pics of my L59A1. Lots of info about them on the net. Short story last of L.E. made with sole purpose of being a drill rifle that could not be turned back into a working rifle. Pictures of overall gun, cut in barrel/wood in front of chamber, cut out of receiver at locking lugs, face of training bolt. Gun functions with dummy rounds. Enjoy
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No firing pin...
JB White
01-25-2017, 10:08
No firing pin, or has it been cut back?
Nice shape for what it has been through. (Cadets and all...)
Almost bought one at Simpson's Ltd. years ago. I felt it was too high priced for the condition it was in. Battered and rusted in spots. If memory serves, the cutout on that one was painted red and the bolt was marked with red as an additional warning.
Not nearly as good looking as yours.
Thanks for clarifying that, the firing pin is clipped techically. More pics of the bolt included.
The serial number throughout this example is 37705. I assume this was force matched since the L59A1 was made out of existing stock. I paid $200.00 for this example. Based on what I've seen this is a pretty good price for its condition. It's still a none shooting drill rifle but the extents the Brits went to make sure the rifle can not be put back into service is facinating. I'm sure some folks think drill rifles are silly since you can't shoot them. I find them interesting.
Theories abound but the two most common is to prevent the I.R.A. from converting rifles back to working order, or to prevent civilians from doing the same. Personally I believe the first, but a little of both might be true. Peter Laidler has a very good article on this rifle.
This particular rifle appears to have led a charmed life. Just not that many handling marks on it. I don't think the cadets got to use it a lot. No import marks so who knows the story on this bird.
JB White
01-25-2017, 10:52
I remember my first dedicated drill rifle. :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/JBWhite/Dummy%20SMLE/Dummy2.jpg
It's long gone as are the few I picked up along the way. Bought them just to take a look for myself with the full intention of passing them along to others with similar interests. Just not my forte' but definitely worth the effort.
The L59 and the much earlier Martini Fencing Musket are my favorites as far as display and conversation are concerned.
Don't know if youre fixing it or not as I type, but your last photo session isn't posting up.
Just saw that let me try and re do it. Pop ups are killing my IPAD. That fencing musket is exactly the type of training stuff I really enjoy.
JB White
01-25-2017, 10:58
Borrowed this photo from IMA-USA. Only to show those unfamiliar with the fencing musket. There are a few variations out there.
http://cdn1.ima-usa.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/88decfed4fba5801a7dc8e03047eb978/n/b/nb1907__1.jpg
Skip that as the photo is overly large. Took this from Rifleman.org.uk. Much nicer photo and it fits better.
http://www.rifleman.org.uk/Images/fencing-musketMHlhs.gif
Thanks to IMA all the same. I left the link intact without the img codes.
Borrowed this photo from IMA-USA. Only to show those unfamiliar with the fencing musket. There are a few variations out there.
http://cdn1.ima-usa.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/88decfed4fba5801a7dc8e03047eb978/n/b/nb1907__1.jpg
I saw that on there site but it's a little pricey.
JB White
01-25-2017, 11:07
LOL! I set a smaller pic and you quote to display it anyway. That's funny! :)
Here is another interesting DP rifle. Overwritten 1938 BSA on low wood stock with magazine cut out receiver. Barrel dated 1918. Appears to be DP rifle made out of a condemned rifle at the start off WW2 when the empire was short of rifles.3970239703
LOL! I set a smaller pic and you quote to display it anyway. That's funny! :)
I'm a big dumb animal lol....I have no idea how to make it smaller....
I should add on the 1938 BSA it is all DP marked with white band. No sear or sear spring. Bolt head threads are worn badly. Stock set has more Dutchmens than a Dutch man. Bore is not bad but outside of barrel was rusted badly at some point. Sandblasted and refinished, apparantly nothing was waisted.
Okay now you got me on a roll here is my 1907 Mk 1 fenceing rifle. Still has volleysights.39704397053970639707
JB White
01-26-2017, 08:02
Here is another interesting DP rifle. Overwritten 1938 BSA on low wood stock with magazine cut out receiver. Barrel dated 1918. Appears to be DP rifle made out of a condemned rifle at the start off WW2 when the empire was short of rifles.3970239703
Interesting piece for certain. Need to ask... How did you come by a 1938 being worn out before 1939?
Okay now you got me on a roll here is my 1907 Mk 1 fenceing rifle. Still has volleysights.39704397053970639707
Now there is an intriguing piece of drill equipment :)
Chamberlain back up plan....in case I fail....��
Sorry J B flew to Washington DC to see oldest daughter. That 38 rifle receiver actually is not worn but its bent/ torqued rotationally in the direction the barrel is spun on. I assume some mistep in barreling. The condition of receiver makes me guess first barreling went wrong. If so this would be an example of drill rifles being built in 1939 out of comdemed parts. I have 2 that fit that bill. They are much more complex than the 2 Dunkirk training rifles I have that were built afterwards. Only the L59A1 was well documented so all else is an educated guess.
Interesting conversation piece. How many were produced?
Interesting conversation piece. How many were produced?
That I don't remember, I'll have to get my Skennerton book out and see if he gives any production numbers. There was also a L59A2 which was the same conversion using No 1 rifles. I have not found one of those.
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