Description

A commercial New Zealand-contract Lee-Enfield Mk. I rifle manufactured by the Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) sometime prior to 1901. The right-hand side of the receiver beneath the bolt bears the text “B.S.A. Co.” while the barrel has the commercial logo of BSA stamped just beneath the rear sight.

This rifle appears to have been an original contract rifle issued to New Zealand military forces at the turn of the twentieth century. New Zealand purchased a large amount of commercial Lee-Enfield rifles from BSA to arm their Volunteer Forces during and shortly after the Boer War. The brass butt plate is stamped with the text “N.Z. 3077 1901.” The top of the receiver also features the common “🡲S🡰” indicating it was sold out of service government service. This rifle still retains its dust cover, magazine cut-off, and volley sights.