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Rare ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY Enfield 1900 Carbine
Guns International #: 101026875 Seller's Inventory #: 10443
Category: Enfield Rifles - Military Rifles - Non-US
Seller's Information
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Seller: AncestryGunsLLC
Company: Ancestry Guns LLC
Member Since: 11/3/16
State: Missouri
Zip: 65203
Country: United States
Phone: (314) 707-7373
International Phone: 314-707-7373
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 1448
Total Number of Listings: 29901
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
Rare ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY Enfield 1900 Carbine
Historic RIC MLE Issued in 1904
Here we present a Lee-Enfield Carbine, made in 1900 and modified for use by the Royal Irish Constabulary, circa 1904. The Royal Irish Constabulary was founded in 1814 and was active until 1922. For those who know anything about this period of Irish history, it will come as no surprise that this was an extremely controversial police force in its day. The RIC was responsible for enforcing the law at large, many times unsavory or unpopular laws, depending on which side one was on, evictions being a notable one. They were also responsible for dealing with organized crime and insurrections. Essentially, this police force was a partially militarized group who eventually needed more firepower in their arsenal. That led them to requisition used Lee-Enfield and Lee-Metford cavalry carbines from the British, about 11,000 in all. These were modified according to the RIC’s specific requests, which, among other things, gave the carbine the ability to mount a bayonet, possibly an indicator about how militarized the force was.
This rifle would have been in the hands of a constable during the Easter Rebellion in 1916. This example features a removeable box magazine and magazine cutoff. The bayonet lug was added, the fore-stock modified as a result, and a collar added to the muzzle all to accommodate the bayonet. There are enough markings throughout that one might have reading material for a day. Original issue marks coexist with those that were made when the rifle was re-issued with its modifications to the RIC. The left side of the receiver is marked with a broad arrow “ENGLAND/CROWN/V.R./ENFIELD/1900/L.E.C./I*”. That includes Queen Victoria’s royal cipher, the maker, the year and model. There is a round mark in the right side of the wood of the butt stock that reads “BIRMINGHAM/1903/1*”. There is a brass RIC unit disc just behind that mark that reads “6 04/RIC/4357”. Likely this means that this carbine was put into use with the RIC in June of 1904 and that this was known as rifle 4357. The top of the barrel is marked with a large “E”. The left side of the barrel has a myriad of markings, including proofs. The stock behind the trigger guard, in from of the magazine well, as well as the bolt knob also bear various markings.
The overall condition is very good. This carbine was there and saw history transpire. This carbine retains about 85% of the original blue finish. There is some pitting underneath the top handguard. The markings are clear and legible. The stock shows quite a bit of handling was done with this firearm, making it all the more interesting. This certainly did not simply sit in the racks at the RIC barracks. The top cover of the hand guard has a small crack and is a little loose due to the fact that one of the clips is missing a half. The bore is bright and shiny. The action is excellent.
This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic.
Barrel is 20-3/4 inches in length.
Caliber: .303 British
Overall condition as seen in photos.
Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING. Will need to be sent to your local FFL.
Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
ancestryguns
$1850
#10443
SOLD
Curio/Relic: Yes