[Lido]

- If anyone has a British .303 Lee-Metford rifle, I would like to see a close picture [from right, left and below] showing the bayonet lug and the cleaning rod [nicknamed the "Long Tom"]. Thanks in advance for any help, Lido 11/30/08

 

[coggansfield]

1 Dec. 2008
11:15pm

What model are you after, chief?

• Lee-Metford mk. I.
• Lee-Metford mk. I*
• Lee-Metford mk. II
• Lee-Metford mk. II*

The first is virtually unobtainable, but has a rod and lug the same as the second (mk. I*). The last is very scarce but has a rod and lug the same as the third (mk. II).

Coggansfield

 

[Lido]

- @ coggansfield: Thanks for your reply. I'm looking for the .303 Lee-Metford rifle, the model which uses the Patt.1888 MkI (2nd type) knife bayonet. This bayonet has an unfullered blade 12-inches long and the wooden grips are secured to the blade tang by 2 brass rivets with brass washers; by the brass rivet located close to the pommel, there is a cleaning hole. I have two British bayonets Patt.1888 MkI (2nd type), one is complete and nice, the other has no grips and the metal parts [pommel, tang, crosspiece and blade] are pitted. I'm working now to polish the pitted bayonet and I'm going to make aluminum grips for it. I want those pictures in order to see the bayonet lug and the cleaning rod. I'm also interested to know the diameter of the cleaning rod [the larger section which is by the bayonet lug]. After I measured the cut-out from the blade tang where the cleaning rod enters, it looks like the diameter of the cleaning rod [by the bayonet lug] should be about 11/32 inch but I want to be 100% sure of the real value. Lido 12/01/08

 

[mr303]

1893 LSA MkII

 

[Lido]

- @ mr303: Thank you very much for the nice pictures. If it isn't too much to ask, I would like to know these values: => 1) The diameter of the cleaning rod head [the section which can be seen in your pictures]; => 2) The distance measured between the end of the locking lug and the end of the cleaning rod. Any values ["mm" or "inch"] would be OK. Thanks again, Lido 12/02/08

 

[mr303]

The diameter of the rod is 7.5mm and it protrudes 37mm

 

[5th Batt WWCT]

The diameter of the rod is 7.5mm and it protrudes 37mm

Crikey mate!! can you even see it over your moustache?

 

[Lido]

- @ mr303: Thanks for your help, I do appreciate it. Lido 12/03/08

 

[mr303]

No worries Lido, 5th batt phoned me last night and said he had left a nice comment for me!