Lee Enfield .303 rifle
1902Rifle
This is a British Lee‑Enfield long rifle (Lee‑Enfield Mk I pattern) in .303, made by BSA ( Birmingham Small Arms and Metal Co Limited England) 1902 and later marked for Commonwealth of Australia “ML Forces” in Western Australia, with an Australian date stamp of August 1906.
Details
Details
“E.R. B.S.A. Co 1902 LE I”
“8/06” “3626” “Commonwealth of Australia ML Forces” “WA”
The crown over “E.R. B.S.A. Co 1902 LE I” mark shows it was built by Birmingham Small Arms Company in 1902 as a Lee‑Enfield Mark I (“LE I”) under King Edward VII. This is the older “Long Lee” pattern rifle in .303 British, preceding the SMLE, with a long barrel and 10‑round magazine.
The stock stamp “Commonwealth of Australia ML Forces WA” indicates issue to the Commonwealth Military Forces in Western Australia after Federation; the “8/06” is the usual Australian butt date, meaning August 1906.
The numbers “826950” and “3626” are serial and rack or unit numbers, reflecting its later Australian military inventory history rather than changing the 1902 manufacture date.
West Australian Rifle Association
West Australian Rifle Association
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