Tweet
Not a trapdoor, but close. I have a very nice Lee that I disassembled years ago to look at the number (43) as I recall. Dick said there was another place to check the serial number on these rifles. Could you please tell me again? Thank you.
-
-
Glad to - the hammer/breechblock combo has a (tiny) pair of matching numbers, on the right side. This is easily viewable by removing the assembly. The other number is on the side of the one-piece trigger-guard, which - on a "very nice" specimen, I'd just take for granted, rather than to risk popping a chip off the edge of the mortise.
In my opnion, the Lee was a very under-rated arm. Cadet length OA, but with a full 32.6" barrel, massively strong, and lightning fast to operate. Most survivng Lees are in very nice condition; I've only seen one truly rough one (and it was a dog).
M1875 Lee Rifle OA.jpgLast edited by Dick Hosmer; 07-25-2016, 06:25. -
Only 143 made?Phillip McGregor (OFC)
"I am neither a fire arms nor a ballistics expert, but I was a combat infantry officer in the Great War, and I absolutely know that the bullet from an infantry rifle has to be able to shoot through things." General Douglas MacArthurComment
-
That's it! $10,000 was appropriated for its' trial, but, after making up the tooling, only a limited amount was left for production.
Only one source, the official 1878 Ordnance Dept. pamphlet, "Manufactures at National Armory. 1872-1877", disagrees - they say 145.Comment
-
Phillip McGregor (OFC)
"I am neither a fire arms nor a ballistics expert, but I was a combat infantry officer in the Great War, and I absolutely know that the bullet from an infantry rifle has to be able to shoot through things." General Douglas MacArthurComment
-
What an amazing and innovative design! Shame that more weren't manufactured!"I was home... What happened? What the Hell Happened?" - MM1 Jacob Holman, USS San PabloComment
-
Hi Dick
I took the rifle apart a long time ago. Have not seen it in awhile. Is taking the breech block and hammer out much of a task? Can you remind me how I did it?
ThanksComment
-
Basically, twist the pin, pull it out, and then wiggle the hammer assembly up and out (uncocked of course) while pulling the trigger. The extractor lays loose in the breech cavity - make sure you note where/how it is placed, before reassembling.Comment
-
Too bad no one is making those as replicas. I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Or maybe two heartbeats.
jnComment
-
Hi Dick
Molasses’s slow, I’m slower. Finally found my Lee Vertical Action.
Took it apart per your directions. Number 45! Thanks for the help.
MikeComment
-
had one of these in my hands last fall,
picked up an estate, older gent who inherited a lot of stuff from his long deceased father,
Lee Vertical action in very good shape was part of it, (as well as a very nice Trapdoor Officers Model),
I bought most of his stuff, and suggested he contact several auction houses on the Lee and the Springfield(and a couple others) since he wanted top dollar for them (no margin for me)
I did not get a chance to take down and get the number, and last I heard he was negotiating with RIA over commission ratesLast edited by lyman; 10-03-2019, 07:06.Comment
-
I'm going to have to begin drastically thinning my accumulation, but the Lee will be a keeper - neat gun.
Just for grins, what is a Krag "officer's carbine"? To my knowledge there was no such thing?Comment
-
thank you for the memory jog,
sorry I posted incorrectly
it was not a krag (he did have a 1898 that I bought and sold)
it was one of the Trapdoor Officer Models
much nicer than this one (condition wise)
https://www.rockislandauction.com/de...-1875-trapdoorComment
Comment