L59A1 example of the last of the Lee Enfields

[p246]

Thought I post pics of my L59A1. Lots of info about them on the net. Short story last of L.E. made with sole purpose of being a drill rifle that could not be turned back into a working rifle. Pictures of overall gun, cut in barrel/wood in front of chamber, cut out of receiver at locking lugs, face of training bolt. Gun functions with dummy rounds. Enjoy

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No firing pin...

[JB White]

No firing pin, or has it been cut back?

Nice shape for what it has been through. (Cadets and all...)

Almost bought one at Simpson's Ltd. years ago. I felt it was too high priced for the condition it was in. Battered and rusted in spots. If memory serves, the cutout on that one was painted red and the bolt was marked with red as an additional warning.
Not nearly as good looking as yours.

[p246]

Thanks for clarifying that, the firing pin is clipped techically. More pics of the bolt included.

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[p246]

The serial number throughout this example is 37705. I assume this was force matched since the L59A1 was made out of existing stock. I paid $200.00 for this example. Based on what I've seen this is a pretty good price for its condition. It's still a none shooting drill rifle but the extents the Brits went to make sure the rifle can not be put back into service is facinating. I'm sure some folks think drill rifles are silly since you can't shoot them. I find them interesting.

Theories abound but the two most common is to prevent the I.R.A. from converting rifles back to working order, or to prevent civilians from doing the same. Personally I believe the first, but a little of both might be true. Peter Laidler has a very good article on this rifle.

This particular rifle appears to have led a charmed life. Just not that many handling marks on it. I don't think the cadets got to use it a lot. No import marks so who knows the story on this bird.