New Zealand Lee-Metford Mk.II 24.5” .303 Bolt Action Rifle, 1893 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,225.00
LSB# LSB251005DL012
Make: RSAF Enfield, England
Model: Lee-Metford Mk. II
Serial Number: 1937 F
Year of Manufacture: 1893 / Antique
Caliber: .303 British
Action Type: Bolt action, 5 round detachable magazine
Markings: The right side of the stock collar is marked with a crown over, “V.R.” followed by, “ENFIELD / 1898 / II”. The left side of the collar is marked, “00 03”. The receiver ring is marked with a New Zealand and British proof along with the serial number, “1937 F”. The bolt is non-matched to the receiver. The rear sight block is marked “JNT” in a diamond. The buttplate is marked with a New Zealand proof and “6271 C14”. There are several British proofs throughout.
Barrel Length: 24.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Patridge blade dovetailed to a barrel mounted base. The rear sight appears to be a factory JNT peep sight screwed to the receiver. There is a sighting dial on the side of the forend.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a three piece wood set with a capped forend/bayonet lug, barrel band w/ sling loop, through bolt, straight wrist, sling loop, and brass buttplate. There are pressure dents, scratches, and chips throughput. The top handguard has several cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall the stock rates in about Good overall condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The 5-Groove bore is gray and the rifling is pronounced. There is heavy erosion and moderate spots of pitting throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at a 6/10 as an Antique.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. There is thinning and heavy patina throughout along with scratches and wear marks. There are light spots of rust throughout. The action has moderate wear. The screw heads show signs of moderate to heavy use. The markings are mostly legible with some being faded. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements. There is a magazine cutoff on the right side of the receiver.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: 1x 10rd Magazine.
Our Assessment: The Lee-Metford Mk. II represents a critical transitional rifle in British military development, bridging the gap between early smokeless-powder experimentation and the later Lee-Enfield series that would dominate the 20th century. Produced at Enfield in 1893, this example reflects the period when Britain paired James Paris Lee’s rear-locking, detachable-magazine bolt system with William Metford’s shallow, rounded rifling optimized for early smokeless propellants. The New Zealand ownership and proof marks add a distinct Commonwealth dimension, indicating overseas service and long institutional use beyond the British Isles. Features such as the magazine cutoff and period sighting equipment underscore the doctrine of controlled fire that defined late Victorian infantry training. Chambered in .303 British, the rifle is tied to one of the most enduring military cartridges in history. Early .303 loadings were central to the Lee-Metford’s development, though later cordite ammunition would hasten the transition to Enfield-pattern rifling. This example’s five-groove bore shows pronounced rifling with heavy erosion and pitting, consistent with extended service life and the use of corrosive-era ammunition. The original metal finish has largely aged to patina, and the stock exhibits the honest wear, chips, and cracking expected of an antique that saw prolonged handling and field use, including a cracked upper handguard.
As an antique Lee-Metford with clear New Zealand association, this rifle offers layered historical interest that extends beyond standard British service examples. While the bore condition reflects significant use and the bolt is non-matching, the rifle remains mechanically functional and visually authentic, retaining key period features and markings. It stands as a tangible artifact from the formative years of the Lee system and the early smokeless era, appealing to collectors who value historical context, Commonwealth provenance, and service-worn character. -R.E.
