Videos tagged with Long Lee

This video delves into Latvia's unique Charger-Loading Lee Enfield (CLLE) Cavalry Carbine, a rare firearm assembled in the early 1920s by BSA using older Lee Metford and Long Lee parts. Commissioned by Latvian cavalry forces during the Latvian War of Independence after receiving British P14 Enfield support, these carbines featured 21-inch barrels and a charger clip bridge. They remained in service through World War Two, with replacement barrels sourced from Tikkakoski in Finland. The description highlights their post-war fate, including potential Red Army reserve service and use by anti-Soviet partisans, leading to their scarcity today. The example shown features a Tikka barrel.

This video showcases a unique Ethiopian rifle, a hybrid of an early Lee Enfield MkI and an SMLE. The rifle retains original features like the buttstock, safety, volley sights, and magazine cutoff from its Lee Enfield MkI origins. However, it has been modified by Ethiopian armorers, featuring an SMLE-length barrel, a non-functional bayonet lug, an SMLE-style handguard, and a distinctive front sight protector. The video highlights the fascinating modifications and the history behind this unusual firearm.

This video delves into the Charger-Loading Lee Enfield MkI India Pattern (CLLE MkI I.P.), highlighting its significance as an early adoption of small arms improvements by the Indian Army. It contrasts the Indian approach of retrofitting Long Lees with the mobile charger guide, starting as early as 1905, with the British military's initial lack of such retrofitting. The video notes that around 22,000 of these rifles were assembled at the Ishapore Arsenal between 1905 and 1909, preceding the MkII I.P. which featured a fixed charger bridge.

This video delves into the rare CLLE MkI Naval Enfield rifle, a unique stopgap produced around 1910-1912 for the British Royal Navy. These rifles were converted from older Long Lee or Metford patterns to accommodate the new MkVII high-velocity Spitzer ammunition, which was typically issued on charger clips for SMLE rifles. The conversion involved recalibrating the rear sights for the new ammunition (though without windage adjustment), adding a charger bridge, and modifying the bolt by removing early dust covers. The guns were marked "HV" for high velocity and "CLLE MkI". The video highlights the historical context and the peculiar nature of this naval variant.

This video showcases a highly unusual BSA prototype Charger Bridge Long Lee rifle. The rifle's origins are unclear, but it boasts provenance from the Charnwood Ordnance collection. Its distinguishing feature is a unique split charger guide, differing from both SMLE fixed guides and earlier CLLE bolt-mounted guides. The rifle exhibits commercial proof markings and lacks markings on the receiver socket, making it an intriguing mystery for Lee Enfield enthusiasts.

This video delves into the historical context and development of the first Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifles, focusing on the lessons learned from the Boer War. It details the shortcomings of the Long Lee rifles and the subsequent military impetus for significant design changes. The description highlights the introduction of stripper clip loading, full-length handguards, windage-adjustable rear sights, and improved front sight hoods. It also discusses the two distinct rear sight patterns (A and B) that underwent rigorous field trials before the A pattern was selected for mass production as the SMLE Mark I in 1904. Minor subsequent changes to the MkI* variant are also noted.

This video from Forgotten Weapons delves into the Charger-Loading Lee Enfield (CLLE) MkI* and MkII rifles, focusing on their development and historical significance. It explains how British military rifles, specifically the 'Long Lee' and Metford models, were retrofitted with charger guides starting in 1908 to accommodate the new charger-loaded ammunition introduced with the 1907 SMLE. The modifications included updating sights for windage adjustability and calibration for Mk VI and later Mk VII ammunition. These updated rifles served in secondary roles throughout both World Wars.

This YouTube video is the fourth installment in C&Rsenal's WWI Primer series, focusing on the British Long Lees (Metford and Enfield) rifles. Hosted by Othais and Mae, the documentary explores the history, function, and includes a live fire demonstration of these iconic World War I firearms. The episode highlights the centennial anniversary of the conflict and encourages viewer support through Patreon, SubscribeStar, and merchandise purchases. Additional resources like a book recommendation, music credits, and collaborators such as The Great War channel are provided.