Milsurp After Hours

from what years to to what year were CLLE's made? How do you establish when they were made?

CLLEs were trialled in 1904-5, and conversions of military rifles started in 1907. Most military long lee rifles were converted to CLLE spec, but of course by 1907 the SMLE had replaced it in new production.

Commercial or "Volunteer Pattern" CLLEs commenced production in 1907, but the end date is not really clear from BSA records: these rifles were still being built for target shooters well into the 1930s, and I personally believe some CLLEs were actually built post-WW2.

A military CLLE carries its original date on the right of the butt socket and its conversion date on the left of the butt socket. A commercial/Volunteer CLLE usually has no date stamps, save where it saw military service (they were widely used in 1914-16: at Gallipoli and during the Somme offensive, for example) and was re-barreled in service, in which case there is sometimes a WW1 date on the barrel.

Some CLLEs were built up by commercial gunsmiths (eg Alex Martin), and these specific rifles might still be listed in the firm's records.

Thank you sir! Would I be correct to assume CLLE's are Metford rifled?

No - charger bridges were also fitted to some Lee Metfords, making them CLLMs. The majority of Long Lees with a charger bridge are Enfield rifled. Sadly, they are often mistaken for Metfords because their bores are usually utterly shot out!

Thank you again sir. I keep getting hung up on the date--thinking pre1899 for U.S. Import without an import license. I can still import the CLLE with and ATF 6 through a Licensed importer if made after 1898.

It's the Webley that I sadly must watch the dates on.

11 Oct. 2006

3:45pm

DoubleD,

Remember, it's the date of original manufacture that governs if the rifle is antique or C&R, not the date of conversion. If you are looking at, for example, a 1909-dated CLLE mk. I* converted from an 1898-dated MLE mk. I, you can bring it in as an antique — because 1898 is before 1899 even if 1909 is not.

It sounds to me as though you're looking into bringing one into the US from overseas. These rifles crop up pretty frequently in the US — I have two myself — so personally I'd save myself the hassle and wait for one on Gunbroker.com. To bring it in from abroad, even as a simple antique, may be a pricey undertaking because of shipping and insurance fees. It'll need to be a pretty spectacular rifle to make it worth it.

All the best,

Coggansfield

P.S. DoubleD, I have some pretty interesting Martinis coming in soon. I'll post pics when they've arrived.

The CLLE will come from the same source as this rifle that I got for R1500...the Rand traded at R7.6 to $1 yesterday.

http://www.fototime.com/F80F02AA0F11763/standard.jpg[/pic]

Like the WR above, If I were to get the CLLE I would carry it home to America on my R&R in my checked bags. I get to come home every year, plus at least two other business trips in between and 4 1/2 years left to collect things.

Double D, good to see you are not wasting your time over there!