This 1892 dated RSAF Sparkbrook produced Lee-Metford MkII is a Very Rare Boer War survivor having been issued to Australian forces . The butt has been carved by the soldier who it was issued to and he was part of the 4th contingent to arrived in South Africa in 1901. The inscription was done by Trouper 2582 RH Shirley, he was embarked in Sydney on the 15th of March 1901 as a re-enforcement. He was posted to the New South Wales Imperial Bushmen when that unit was raised on the 4th of May 1901, he was repatriated home on the 6th of February 1902. The right hand side of the butt has his name, the Australian coat of arms and “Balmain” which I assume is where he came from, plus “Sydney” the port he sailed from. The left hand side of the butt is inscribed “Briton Boer War” “South Africa March 1901”. The rifle has sustained battle damage probably from shrapnel, the woodwork in front of the magazine is damaged, the bottom of the magazine has been badly damaged and the trigger guard has been dented. When found the rifle had no bolt and would probably have been scrapped, however with such history the correct bolt and dustcover was sourced and the rifle now has current proof. apart from replacing the bolt the rifle has been left in its original condition with matching numbers to the barrel and action, as befits a rifle of this age and history. Trouper Shirley made it home so he was not holding the rifle when the damage occurred what actually happened to it is lost in the mists of time. Although now fully proofed and capable of firing this rifle will be for the serious Enfield / Boer War collector and I hope it will be kept in its present condition as a testament to those who fought and died in that conflict.
Stock number 677
This 1892 dated RSAF Sparkbrook produced Lee-Metford MkII is a Very Rare Boer War survivor having been issued to Australian forces . The butt has been carved by the soldier who it was issued to and he was part of the 4th contingent to arrived in South Africa in 1901. The inscription was done by Trouper 2582 RH Shirley, he was embarked in Sydney on the 15th of March 1901 as a re-enforcement. He was posted to the New South Wales Imperial Bushmen when that unit was raised on the 4th of May 1901, he was repatriated home on the 6th of February 1902. The right hand side of the butt has his name, the Australian coat of arms and “Balmain” which I assume is where he came from, plus “Sydney” the port he sailed from. The left hand side of the butt is inscribed “Briton Boer War” “South Africa March 1901”. The rifle has sustained battle damage probably from shrapnel, the woodwork in front of the magazine is damaged, the bottom of the magazine has been badly damaged and the trigger guard has been dented. When found the rifle had no bolt and would probably have been scrapped, however with such history the correct bolt and dustcover was sourced and the rifle now has current proof. apart from replacing the bolt the rifle has been left in its original condition with matching numbers to the barrel and action, as befits a rifle of this age and history. Trouper Shirley made it home so he was not holding the rifle when the damage occurred what actually happened to it is lost in the mists of time. Although now fully proofed and capable of firing this rifle will be for the serious Enfield / Boer War collector and I hope it will be kept in its present condition as a testament to those who fought and died in that conflict.
Stock number 677