Lee–Metford
Service rifle / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the 1888 British rifle. For other uses, see Lee rifle.
The Lee–Metford (also known as the Magazine Lee–Metford) is a British bolt action rifle which combined James Paris Lee's rear-locking bolt system and detachable magazine with an innovative seven-groove rifled barrel designed by William Ellis Metford. It replaced the Martini–Henry as the standard service rifle of the British Empire in 1888, following nine years of development and trials, but remained in service for only a short time until replaced by the Lee–Enfield.
Quick Facts Type, Place of origin ...
Lee–Metford | |
---|---|
Type | Service rifle |
Place of origin | United Kingdom |
Service history | |
In service | 1888–present (ceremonial) |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | |
Production history | |
Designer | James Paris Lee, RSAF Enfield |
Manufacturer | RSAF Enfield |
Unit cost | £3/15/– = £3.75 in 1892-1893[3] |
Produced | 1884–1896 |
Variants |
|
Specifications | |
Length | 49.5 in (1,260 mm) |
Barrel length | 30.2 in (770 mm) |
Cartridge | Cartridge .303 Mk I |
Calibre | .303 in (7.7 mm) |
Action | Bolt-action |
Rate of fire | 20 rounds/minute |
Muzzle velocity | 2,040 ft/s (620 m/s) |
Effective firing range | c. 800 yards (730 m) |
Maximum firing range | 1,800 yards (1,600 m) |
Feed system | 8 or 10-round magazine |
Sights | Sliding leaf rear sights, Fixed-post front sights, "Dial" long-range volley sights |
Close