Type: Used
Make: Lee Enfield LEI
Model: MLE MK I
Serial Number: 8288
Caliber: 303 British
Capacity: 10rd
Action: Bolt
Markings to note: Buttpad is stamped NZ 10655 1901 (indicating it was supplied to New Zealand). Receiver is stamped Enfield 18971 L.E.I. Chamber is tamped 8288 G. Top is stamped E
Barrel Length: 30″
Sights: Adjustable rear front ramp.
Bore Condition: Mostly bright and sharp
Overall Condition: Rifle is overall in good condition with noticeable sign of use/wear. Finish has several areas of surface patina along receiver, bolt, barrel, trigger guard, and strap loops. Barrel near bore shows sign of pitting. Stock has multiple scratches, scuffs, and dents in various areas. Rifle could use a very deep cleaning. Overall rifle is in 60% – 70% overall condition.
Additional Notes: The Enfield rifle marked “1897 LEI” with a buttpad stamped “NZ 10655 1901” is a historically significant firearm, reflecting its service in the New Zealand military during the early 20th century. This particular model, a Magazine Lee-Enfield (MLE), was manufactured in 1897 and represents one of the early iterations of the iconic Lee-Enfield series. Chambered in .303 British, it features a robust design with a long barrel and a 10-round detachable magazine, providing reliability and accuracy. The “NZ 10655 1901” marking indicates its issuance to New Zealand forces in 1901, adding a unique provenance and enhancing its value to collectors and historians. The combination of British craftsmanship and its historical use by the New Zealand military makes this rifle a treasured piece of military history.
