Lee Metford foresight protector

KCLRPC · Post by **KCLRPC** » Thu May 17, 2007 5:45 pm

Can anyone post a photo of a foresight protector for a lee metford? I've been offered something which fits, but I'm not sure it doesn't belong to a martini enfield.

cheers

Nick

brewstop · Post by **brewstop** » Mon May 21, 2007 5:09 am

Nick,

I have about six different foresight protectors for Long Lees/ Martini Enfields. I don't think they were ever military issue, so there is no "correct" pattern - they are all commercial offerings. Since the Martini Enfield was deliberately designed to mimic the muzzle dimensions of the Lee Enfield/ Metford (in order to share the same bayonet), its probably fair to assume that AG Parker and the other manufacturers intended their foresight protectors to fit either weapon.

KCLRPC · Post by **KCLRPC** » Mon May 21, 2007 1:40 pm

Thanks for that. The one I have is military stamped, a brass capped tube with a bump which covers the foresight. Fits the Metford perminantly, but I normally see them named as Martini Henry accessories. I've got one which I know is for the Long Lee Enfield, but can't place this one.

On another note, have just got a foresight protector for the SMLE, but unlike the Parker ones, this has a disk which appears to cover the muzzle. Does anyone know anything of these?

Nick

brewstop · Post by **brewstop** » Tue May 22, 2007 3:31 am

The "Flanders Mud Flap" was a military issue for the SMLE, designed to keep mud out of the barrel. They are quite scarce now (probably because most of them got accidentaly shot off the muzzle....) and fetch quite good prices on eBay.

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Tue May 22, 2007 5:11 am

Is it the "Flanders Mud Flap" style or a simple box style to cover the SMLE ears and front sight with an extension down the front to cover the barrel ?

I have one of the latter and assume it was simply a slight improvement on the original square types. I think mine is unmarked but I'll check.

Tom-May · Post by **Tom-May** » Tue May 22, 2007 5:12 am

Did the "Flanders Mud Flap" work any better than the old stand-by "Socks, knitted, Grey Wool, Other Ranks." ?

KCLRPC · Post by **KCLRPC** » Tue May 22, 2007 3:33 pm

I'm disappointed mine doesn't have military markings, but then who knows. I don't like using the covers, they ruin the blueing. Still looking for the rearsight cover that Parker Hale advertised in the 30's.

Nick

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Tue May 29, 2007 12:50 am

Couple of pics of the foresight protector I referred to earlier.No markings on it.

24626151 · Post by **24626151** » Thu May 31, 2007 4:35 am

The only issued one I recall was for the SLR L1A1. Only used for drill to stop the foresight unpicking your woolly pully!