History of WWI Primer 046: British Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield Documentary

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Othais and Mae delve into the story of this WWI classic. Complete with history, function, and live fire demonstration.
C&Rsenal presents its WWI Primer series; covering the firearms of this historic conflict one at a time in honor of the centennial anniversary. Join us every other Tuesday!
Support the Royal Armouries
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Additional reading:
The Lee-Enfield: A Century of Lee-Metford & Lee-Enfield Rifles & Carbines
Ian Skennerton
You can now find these and other books through our A-store. When buying through this link we
receive a small commission that goes on to help with production.
astore.amazon.com/candrprimer-20
Original music provided by Melissa Hyman of The Moon and You
www.themoonandyou.com/
Historical music from this episode:
A Little Bit of Cucumber
Harry Champion
It's a Long Way to Tipperary
John McCormack in 1914
Safe range space thanks to Shoot Logic
www.shootlogic.com/
In collaboration with The Great War
/ thegreatwar
Additional photos thanks to Rock Island Auction
Ammunition data thanks to DrakeGmbH
/ drakegmbh
Visit us at candrsenal.com

[@JustaMuteCat]

The smile on Mae’s face when she runs the guns in the range sections of each video is gold.

[@Sedan57Chevy]

One hour, forty minutes, and forty-two seconds of pure escape. Thank you, C&Rsenal.

[@jrcdehc]

Advertised as: "Episode 046: The one where everyone riots"

[@Candrsenal]

Wait until you get to the end.

[@XShifty0311X]

C&Rsenal Luckily, crisis was averted and SMLE fans have put their keyboards on safe. Also, a more fitting title if crisis had not been avertee would have been "Episode 46: War Were Declared- SMLE vs Carcano." (Comments have been disabled for this video)

[@peoplehavetherights]

Sedan57Chevy I just found his channel and am a shooter of these rifles. Very detailed anslyses of technical development. Excellent.

[@Hellberch1]

To be fair in my opinion it is in fact a 3 hour episode as the SMLE is the results of the Journey of the Long Lee

[@jaredkennedy2555]

one does not simply go to bed once c&rsenal has posted.

[@woobyvr9654]

Jared Kennedy agreed

[@NeptuneBluez]

Jared Kennedy I agree as well.

[@sugarnads]

Neptune Bluez notwithstanding the sheer interest, sometimes needs must.

[@troyp467]

I actually made myself but it was really tempting to watch it right away.

[@mugwump58]

I'm watching again because I fell asleep on the couch. LOL

[@cannonfodder4376]

1:15:09 "But it has been covered by another popular religious icon." Praise be to Gun Jesus.

[@aprichnik1044]

Nicholas Mew No, Allah

[@eric3844]

He is the way and the light. Except occasionally the light is muzzle flash.

[@GerackSerack]

Someone to hear your prayers Someone who's there

[@opraners]

Feels awkward knowing that reference.

[@HarrysHouseChannel]

Jesus McCollum

[@alahos]

I love how Othias is going "The Carcano?" the same way Superintendent Chalmers goes "Aurora Borealis?"

[@NAATHAAN]

"So we are gonna add the magazine cut...GOOD LORD WHAT IS THAT?" "Carcano modello 1891"

[@garethbarry3825]

I have to say, as a South African, I was impressed by your condensed version of the Boer war

[@myparceltape1169]

Do you know that the Boers showed up just how physically unfit British men were for military service? This led to several changes, one of which was the beginning of a School Nursing Service. Half a century before the NHS. Quite an important war.

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

​@@myparceltape1169 hugely important war in so many ways it was an engine of social change in Britain. Urbanisation had terrible impacts on the health of the working people, and those units recruited in the British industrial cities really really struggled to find specimens of manhood who fitted the bill. Poor diet, pollution, poisoning from processed food (especially milk) adulteration of flour, 7 day industrial working weeks, poor sanitation, poor education, few worker's rights, lack of fresh air. This is why so many units were filled with Scottish Highlanders and Irish soldiers (my great great great grandfather was a Scottish Highlander who served in a London regiment and ended up in the research department of the Woolwich Arsenal working on the development of this rifle). The war resulted in significant social reform, especially around the sale of alcohol and the first licensing acts appear around this time. The governor realised that removing the reliance on alcohol to relieve misery needed to be balanced so a huge national movement around recreation and sport with Sunday afternoons being set aside. It is during this period that public baths with swimming pools are built, public parks and also when most of the UKs great football, rugby and cricket clubs were founded. Sport replaced gin as the national obsession and the temperance movement kicked off with vengeance. Othias did a great job of summarising a war that still leaves bitter memories, not without justification. My late grandfather was a pre war British Colonel and knew Jan Smuts well, he was extremely critical of the conduct of the administration during the war and was very vocal in demanding justice for the Boers.. he, like many of the soldiers who served around this time, very much saw the treatment of the Boers as unjust, unBritish and unworthy and resented the blatant wealth grubbing of the interests that promoted the war. He saw WW2 as an opportunity to make moral amends for the conduct in South Africa.

[@SatanSupimpa]

The next weapon will be released as a 10 episodes Netflix series.

[@Candrsenal]

That sounds so much easier.

[@scottscott8123]

Would kill for a c&rsenal netflix show!

[@jamesrivettcarnac]

Do this.

[@nicksGLI]

They'd make him shave for the advertising...

[@utubedaveg]

i do not support netflix sp i wont see it.

[@Horus_the_Lupercal]

I love the SMLE. I have dyslexia so for years I thought it was a SMILE. At this point I have a no1 mk3, Ishapore 2a and a no4 mk1. A lovely bunch of SMILES.

[@thurin84]

isnt it after all (the I is assumed)?

[@wierdalien1]

milcoll73 no

[@thurin84]

ok capt buzzkill

[@wierdalien1]

lol I am sorry, like legit sorry, not sure why I was being such a dick.

[@ivymike2691]

How is the Ishapore 2A? Saw one listed for $550 at a local place recently and I'm considering picking it up.

[@Ben_not_10]

14:50 "and it'd work perfectly every time " (two cartidges fly outta the gun)

[@LostShipMate]

They were defective cartridges, the perfect Ross ejected those on purpose.

[@M81_WOODLAND]

The sarcasm nearly killed me, lol.

[@presidentmerkinmuffley6769]

@@LostShipMate It knew they were deactivated.

[@kkloikok]

"woah these are British people and you're not letting them vote... That's messed up man" -America, c.1776

[@keithorbell8946]

Andrew ahem, most British in Great Britain couldn’t vote in 1776, just saying 😉

[@chrisbrent7487]

Most Americans after the revolution couldn’t vote. It was the same as in Britain where only land owners and important people could.

[@sumvs5992]

@@chrisbrent7487 yeah but the thinking behind owning land to be able to vote was because Thomas Jefferson though that if voters had something to lose, they would vote in a smart manner.

[@IJX89]

Awesome video! You guys do a great job! A couple fun facts my grandfather told me a about the SMLE, he was a Korean War veteran which was the last war Australia used the SMLE in as a main battle rifle (besides the Malayan Conflict circa late 1950s). Later he was an infantry instructor back here in Australia and discharged when the Australian Army adopted the SLR. So that's where this information comes from: The rear locking action and rear position of the bolt handle is intentionally designed to ensure your hand ends up where your trigger finger (which is your middle finger when carrying out proper drills of the time) lines up with the trigger while your thumb and index finger remain on the bolt, in combination with the short action bolt so you don't have to break your line of sight when cycling the bolt) is why it was able to be fired so fast and accurately. Despite the original purpose of the 2 stage trigger most likely being an added safety feature, the Australian Army capitalised on it being usable as a feature to increase marksmanship capabilities, in accordance with their training and drills, hence why they kept the magazine cutoff and the complex sight arrangements. Even though the trench warfare made these features largely irrelevant, the other theatres of war that Australia fought in during WW1 and prior (Middle East, Pacific, etc) they were useful. A lot of the Australian thinking into the Lithgow rifles were more centered around mobility and open country warfare as in defence of Australia itself. He also told me that a majority of Australian soldiers throughout the history of using the SMLE use to carry a set of snips to cut the tips of their jacketed rounds off in their down time between patrols and other tasks in order to create a bullet that would mushroom out on impact.

[@Candrsenal]

Don't tell the Germans that last one....

[@IJX89]

I think we could all agree to call it even.

[@IJX89]

@@23GreyFox even in the sense that everyone did unorthodox stuff to cause as much harm to the other side... as is in war.

[@23GreyFox]

@@IJX89 After all those French and British actions, germany had no choice to respond. Gas warfare (after France used gas first) or that so called "unrestricted submarine warfare" (after British Q-ships). Germany would never do something like using civil ships as shield for military cargo (Lusitania).

[@IJX89]

@@23GreyFox 1- The first gas attack was conducted by Germany using phosgene-chlorine gas in December 1915. 2- Everyone did questionable shit in war. Germany routinely punished (typically by execution) entire towns of Belgians because someone blew up a bridge nearby to hinder their way. Sure the western propaganda mills ran with it, but the Germans weren't hiding their targeted killing of civilians, they were openly advertising that they were going to collectively punish anyone who hindered their war effort, it was a warning. To sit there and say "oh poor Germany didn't have a choice they never would have done such a thing it was all the devilish French and British" like come on man... everyone did shady shit in every war ever. You don't win wars by playing by the rules.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The lamps are going out all over Europe, and we shall never see them lit again in our lifetime..." -Sir Edward Grey Take care, I'll miss you, I'll be back for Christmas,....... Don't forget to write!........

[@TwentythreePER]

britishmuzzleloaders I'm going to go watch your "mad minute" video again. I've already watched your recent SMLE video multiple times. It was awesome to see you and C&Rsenal working together. I think they will eventually cover the Martini-Henry as used in WWI.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Jesus,..... that was awesome.

[@Candrsenal]

Thanks for the help

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hey, I have had good times these last couple of weeks thanks to you. Thank you for yours! You know, .... The fact that you can do a three hour series on these rifles and have every minute of that be watchable and entertaining, while delivering the history speaks to your product and MO..... Class act, there.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

A big lump of Flanders mud then....

[@gchampi2]

The SMLE. Whenever I see a forum discussion advocating the SMLE as "Tha Best Evaaahhh!!!1!", or "Tha PERFECT rifle!!i!", I smile, and remember my grandad. He was called up in '43 (straight out of school), landed in normandy on the 10th june & spent the rest of the war fixing trucks, tanks & anything else mechanical. He wasn't a frontline guy, but he did his bit making sure the frontline guys had all the toys they needed, all while his issued SMLE was readily to hand. Post war, he became a highly respected machinist in Coventry - his claim to fame was being one of the team who machined the first brake discs to win the LeMans 24Hr... He taught me something that has stuck with me to this day - "Perfection is the Enemy of Good Enough". The SMLE is the epitome of this phrase. It wasn't the best rifle of WW1. Many were more advanced/accurate/ergonomic/whatever. What the SMLE was, was "Good Enough". It could survive being dropped into mud, it could reliably fire ammo of dubious specification, and in context, it could send twice the lead downrange than any opposing rifle before reloading... Was the SMLE the perfect battle rifle? No. Was the SMLE the epitome of a "Good Enough" battle rifle? Yes. Two world wars as a main-line battle rifle, and an 86 year service life for it and its derivatives really cannot be argued with...

[@grayflaneur4854]

gchampi2 - Sounds to me like you have just described the bolt action equivalent of the AK-47. In the end, durable and good enough.

[@DLBBALL]

I still question why the British still never got the Farquhar-Hill into mass production post WW1. They would've had a fairly good SLR about 30 years earlier than the rest of the world.

[@Grimmtoof]

Dude Lmao Probably a case of 'The rifle we have works fine and now the war's over we don't have the money to waste and fancy toys.'

[@grizzlyadams3021]

gchampi2 SMLE is certainly an utterly fantastic rifle in it's own right. Anyone who loves firearms the SMLE definitely has a special place in our hearts. Guns are like people, dont ever think you're the absolute best, that something better isn't out there, but make no mistake, though you may lose some battles, you're going to win some too! My grandfather had a similar role in WWII it sounds. He was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1942, served with the 5th Army front lines in north Arfrica, Sicily, Italy, fought at Salerno and Anzio, his MOS was officially Laundry Mechanic, meaning he had to keep the whole damn company up and running, fixed utilities, trucks, guns, at one point did something to a few tanks, construction equipment etc AND hit the front lines with his M1. I wish I knew more about him but there was very very little he ever would talk about and he told me he burnt and destroyed everything from the war when he got home. He had nightmares and flashbacks the rest of his life.

[@jackandersen1262]

Dude Lmao I heard that the reason was that the autoloading rifle didn’t really fit into British doctrine at the time (who at the end of WW1 heavily favored machine guns and hand grenades).

[@Strelnikov10]

This show is like putting a high speed camera on a glacier, but instead of elucidating the fascinating motion of an extremely slow icefall, you are speeding up the actions of unbelievably slow bureaucracies. Fascinating! Also, I concur, it is most certainly a long way to Tipperary.

[@StonyRC]

I shot the SMLE as a cadet at school (yes, it was a long time ago when some schools in the UK had guns) and I developed a passion for this historic rifle. Thank you so much for a superb episode, filled with information and historical reference. Greetings from the UK.

[@christopherlambert7814]

The U.K has a very good history of making quality firearms...the old Webely revolvers also are beautiful

[@Komnenos1234]

These are EVERYWHERE here in Canada. We all own one and they're still fantastic rifles. Mine is from 1941 and shoots better groups than my modern 30-06.

[@shyfox_69]

I apologize for the hell we put you through Othias, we don't deserve your incredible hard work and devotion. To the whole team, thank y'all. I'm glad you no longer have to dread The What Now

[@Candrsenal]

Don't worry, plenty more to dread!

[@thurstablelane7567]

Nice work, well done; but as a patriot of Great Britain, living here and having fired and carried one while doing re-enactments, the SMLE Mk3 is my favourite rifle. However what makes the legend of this rifle so popular, is because of long service and the fact that British troops were better equipped than most other troops by the beginning of WW1. Hope that wasn't too bad a comment? But Thanks so much I have learnt about a rifle which is a icon of my home country of the UK and I am really appreciative, of the work that goes into these videos. Thanks Again

[@FalbertForester]

First time watching your channel - and a pleasure, thank you. I picked up my 1919 manufactured SMLE III* some years ago, and have enjoyed shooting it for quite a few years now. Probably its thanks to many mis-spent nights in my youth, watching movies with Brits cranking away on their SMLEs.

[@haydenwilhelm3882]

One interesting thing I've noticed with the rear sight being so far forward is the fact that now you have a perfect completely wooden hand grip on the rifle right where the balance point is. So, if the barrel is hot from shooting it is still easy to hold the rifle in a non-firing position without having to either touch hot steel or work to balance the rifle. Just my take on the awkwardly short sight radius.

[@martyandrews2482]

I literally ran from my family when I got the notification for this video. Was asked what was wrong I said, "A video I've waited two weeks for!" I will now have to wait another two weeks for more of these videos but the new Anvil series seems interesting and will placate my need.

[@Candrsenal]

Was this mid spaghetti?

[@martyandrews2482]

No, I was telling them how my shift went.

[@scrooglemcdoogle]

C&Rsenal You made him spill his spaghetti.

[@GJ203]

I can't understand how anyone could not like the SMLE. Look at that nose-cap, it's so cute!

[@M81_WOODLAND]

Looks so much better than the No. 4.

[@campfortson4387]

for once, the more common gun is the prettier one.

[@andrewshepherd1537]

I heard Sootch00 call his Mr. Snufalufagus when referencing it in videos, and never understood the joke till I actually looked at one. Mr. Snufalufagus indeed lol

[@Fedaykin24]

Great video, I especially like the Comedy section at the end where you both pretend that the SMLE is not the best Bolt Action in WW1 bar none! Gave me a really good laugh :-)

[@SuperMegaCyrus]

One hour and forty minutes of pure information. Presented in a clear , entertaining way. You earn every single penny of that patreon money. Well done.

[@Candrsenal]

Glad to hear you didn't tucker out!

[@v22058]

Can I just say thank you to the entire C&Rsenal crew for the wonderful work you do and the hours of fascinating fun for firearms affections !

[@counterstrifekid]

an hour and a half long video on the development and design of a particular rifle. I think I am in heaven.

[@Murray.Sutherland]

OMG, a movie length smle doco! You must be absolutely buggered. Well done!

[@Candrsenal]

It has been... a trial

[@Murray.Sutherland]

C&Rsenal Character building as they say ;) but sshh I'm still watching!

[@bradrugg8705]

C&Rsenal we all love you for it thanks guys!

[@Nebulax123]

Hello maybe relation. LOL I am Bruce Rugg

[@SacoreyRugger]

"covered by another religious icon, hallowed be thy name" best quote yet

[@cpage305]

I didnt get the reference

[@SacoreyRugger]

@@cpage305 check out forgotten weapons

[@clydeosterhout1221]

I just want to thank you for all of the hard work and effort that went into these videos. Your videos are actually very scholarly works, something you have every right to be proud of!

[@Candrsenal]

Thank you

[@thegoldencaulk2742]

*_T H E W H A T N O W_*

[@taofledermaus]

Really good episode!

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

Could you do a Dum-Dum round gel test for us?

[@treyriver5676]

Pretty much any soft point hunting load will be darn close.

[@chrisbrent7487]

If you are into Lee Enfields there is a gun store / collector in Western Australia called Kings armoury and they have a KZbin channel with some very detailed video of Lee Enfields and earlier Lee Medford rifles. It’s not all Lithgow built rifles from Australia either. He has them from all over the world and has a very rare collection of all matching rifles of all variants which is super rare as when the government here sold them all off they had tables with piles of rifles and tables with piles of bolts and they just sold you a rifle and a bolt that passed the gauges.

[@archcunningham5579]

Why didn't she have the butt of the stock properly seated into her shoulder ?

[@TheIndianalain]

My hat off to Mae for handling those heavy and powerful rifles with such ease! And without ever losing her smile!

[@Tunkkis]

Can't hear the song during Mae's shooting without thinking of the lyrics to _It's A Long Way To Mukumbura._

[@BaneDrac]

I have read some (Unconfirmed) reports that the 20 round "Trench" mags were used (And subsequently destroyed) in the Charlton LMG, while i haven't been able to confirm if the entirety of the magazines were destroyed during the Palmerston North fire that destroyed the guns, the one of the few existing examples of the Charlton i have handled also came with a pair of 20 round WWI Trench mags which were matched to the gun, lending some credence to the theory.

[@jackandersen1262]

BaneNZ Forgotten Weapons said that the Charlton Automatic Rifle used modified 30 round BREN and 10 round Lee-Enfield magazines, so it might be possible to use the trench mags since the gun can take the standard ones.

[@Procket12]

"A Long Way to Tipperary". I remember that from Toy Soldiers.

[@zehnkleinesturzkampfflugzeuge]

I remember it from "Das Boot". That scene is just funny as hell.

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

I woke up a 4AM today, got on my computer to check the weather, quickly popped on to facebook, see right away that a new Primer episode is out, have to go to work, decide that to make through the day with out incident so that I could come home and watch this am my reward. Love you guys, keep up the phenomenal work Othias and Mae and the rest of the team!

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

Magazine cut offs. So I think I might have an answer for why the Navy kept insisting on a magazine cut off. It's to do with heaving lines. One of the main uses of a full bore rifle on a warship has been, since the first Lee rifles, the ability to heave a line between ships. When ships are at sea and you need to transfer crew or cargo between two ships you use something called a breaches bouy. This is a line that runs between the two ships along which the bouy,which is a two wheeled runner, runs, the weight to be transferred hung beneath the runner and the runner is controlled with two heaving lines. One controlled from each ship. This allows the crew transferred/cargo to be carefully, and ideally without dunking into the sea, between the ships. Now there are two lines that need to be sent over the ships. The main line and one of the heaving lines. The distances are too great to heave by hand so either a mortar or a rifle is used to shoot a light line over to the other ship, the line is then used to heave a heavier line. Now on smaller ships, destroyers etc, dedicated line heaving mortars didnt exist. So rifles were used, much along the principle of the rifle grenade. A carrier is fitted over the muzzel, a special blank cartridge loaded, you aim over the other ship and fire, the carrier is propelled off the muzzel by the blank and flies 300 yards or so tailing the light line. When I was in the Royal Navy in the 1980s this was done using a single shot NATO target rifle. A LOT of onus was placed on the single shot being required, I dont know if it was a pre requisite of the type of ammunition or why this was, suffice to say that when I heard you say that the mag cut off was a naval requirement, I immediately recalled this line heaving technique. In fact I can remember a naval display squad who would demonstrate rope work using an SMLE with a cut off as a line heaving rifle in the late 1970s and the Bosun was very specific about ensuring the magazine was cut off before loading the round to fire the line. Maybe this is all nonsense but it would explain the Navy's insistence on the cut off and may warrant further research or confirmation

[@silmarian]

Hand, pokey, patented plastic, Mk 1. 26:57

[@vaclav_fejt]

I still prefer the HPPP Mark 3 or, rebranded, See Narsenal No.1 Mark 3. - For WWI at least. I'm looking forward for an updated version for WWII with simpler plastic and more robust poking.

[@Candrsenal]

oh boy...

[@shilelea]

He could get one of those fancy Torah pointers synagogues use to avoid damaging their scrolls.

[@womble321]

silmarian mark 1 *** lmao

[@fien111]

Hand, pokey, patented plastic, Mk 1* : Arm lengthened, pointer finger shape changed slightly, thumb down and into the fist Hand, pokey, patented plastic, Mk 1** : Thumb put back up, color changed to a more greenish yellow Hand, pokey, patented plastic, Mk 2 : Hand shape changed, pointer finger lengthened by .2mm, thumb put back down, color changed to a deeper green Hand, pokey, patented plastic, Mk 3: Arm shortened, pommel added to other end, pointer finger reverted to Mk1* specifications, color changed to piss yellow, thumb back up Hand, pokey, patented plastic, Mk 3* : Thumb down again, pommel enlarged

[@WhiskyCardinalWes]

Gun Jesus sent me. Am now part of your following, Hail and Well Met!!

[@Candrsenal]

Glad to have you.

[@mdc2296]

So I got a chopped up ShtL.E. III* as part of a trade, and could not for the life of me figure out who made it. Then I found an SSA mark on the receiver. Then I watched this episode, and am now even more excited about restoring it. Excellent episode, and thank you.

[@pimpompoom93726]

My great grandfather tried to volunteer to fight in the British Army in the Boer war-he was a Canadian citizen at the time and only 16-he claimed to be 21 (lol). He got as far as Johannesburg, South Africa before the British military authorities figured out his actual age and sent him home. I still have his Discharge Papers from South Africa. 🙂

[@gamesbok]

Naming Of Parts - Poem by Henry Reed Today we have naming of parts. Yesterday, We had daily cleaning. And tomorrow morning, We shall have what to do after firing. But today, Today we have naming of parts. Japonica Glistens like coral in all the neighboring gardens, And today we have naming of parts. This is the lower sling swivel. And this Is the upper sling swivel, whose use you will see, When you are given your slings. And this is the piling swivel, Which in your case you have not got. The branches Hold in the gardens their silent, eloquent gestures, Which in our case we have not got. This is the safety-catch, which is always released With an easy flick of the thumb. And please do not let me See anyone using his finger. You can do it quite easy If you have any strength in your thumb. The blossoms Are fragile and motionless, never letting anyone see Any of them using their finger. And this you can see is the bolt. The purpose of this Is to open the breech, as you see. We can slide it Rapidly backwards and forwards: we call this Easing the spring. And rapidly backwards and forwards The early bees are assaulting and fumbling the flowers: They call it easing the Spring. They call it easing the Spring: it is perfectly easy If you have any strength in your thumb: like the bolt, And the breech, the cocking-piece, and the point of balance, Which in our case we have not got; and the almond blossom Silent in all of the gardens and the bees going backwards and forwards, For today we have the naming of parts. Henry Reed Talking about features carried over, the MkIII has windage adjustment, and the right sight protector is stepped out to make room. The MkIII* has no windage adjustment, but the right sight protector is still stepped. The Mk7 ammunition has an unbalanced core. It will fly straight, but topple at the slightest touch. it's as damaging as it could be within Hague convention.

[@grayflaneur4854]

As one of your Patreon supporters (and I also support The Great War), allow me to say, "Great Show!" I would say that in my top 5, I would place the carbine version the Gew 98 in the list. But, it's all based on one's own perception!

[@Candrsenal]

thanks for the help! To be fair, I think we need to test a slicker 98az

[@grayflaneur4854]

The only SMLE's I have had the chance to hold or shoot have been heavily used and very worn. I have not bought one (yet) for that reason, but maybe in the future. It will be just another cartridge to buy... I must confess I have a soft spot for Mauser's, Schmidt Rubin's, and the Finnish M39. It makes me a bit biased.

[@josemoreno3334]

Grate video. I own a Lithgow No.1 Mk.III *. Fun to shoot. Price of the ammo is going up. Still a grate rifle. Thank you guy's.

[@F-powerstrokeFord]

I have a SMLE MK.III* dated 1918 with a SSA receiver with all matching numbers and it’s a great rifle and looks absolutely beautiful

[@Warpedtau]

1:04:11 Seems like there is a bit of weird double audio going on.

[@JaguarSeraph]

Seems like he grabbed the wrong take or forgot a section, because the doubled up audio you can hear him going "Oh." Like he looked over and saw that the video was cut differently when doing the VO.

[@Candrsenal]

Yeah, it's a tail-end that got nudged and lost. At this point? I surrender. It's a 2 hour compile, 1 hour upload, and 1 hour process time just to push the corrected video and confuse everyone.

[@JaguarSeraph]

It happens. Just put it in the "goofs" section for the IMDB page for this doccu-movie.

[@yogenmeister]

We forgive you. This is some quality content in any other standard.

[@AntiAnathema]

So... its a feature?

[@maple0177]

The clips were meant to be one use only, they stretch and distort if they're recharged too many times. I trained on the MkIV

[@schutztruppe]

you need a video on using volley sights

[@kadven6447]

This is why I like Mae's opinion. She knows what she likes and is not deterred by popular opinion! Thanks for another great video

[@LigerNoir]

Wow! A whole hour before "War were declared"

[@Ivan-vn1pd]

The British had an obsession with skinny barrels Oh God I can just imagine some turn of the century Nutnfancy sperging out about weight

[@toledo152]

Steven Swingler don't forget sawc design and ergos for your gtw wrl rifle.

[@deepbludreams]

"You see this volley sight? this is next kind of cool dudes, i mean seriously."

[@signs80]

Steven Swingler The POU!!!!11!!!

[@clintonkeller5115]

And then getting shouted down because he wanted to paint it FDE!

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

oh christ, Edwardian Nutnfancy, would either be the best or worst thing ever.

[@davidbrennan660]

5 years back but still channel gold......loving this from the future.

[@d-cat8198]

1 1/2 hours...how do you guys do it! This is a fantastic channel. I love the format, I love the information, the history, the enthusiasm, the humor, it just doesn't get much better than this. This what the history channel used to be...way back when they were worth watching. I find that channels such as yours are redefining the way I think about television. I find myself more and more turning off the TV and seeking out programs such as this. Thank you for an incredible effort. The in-depth discussions regarding the history of the designs, the acceptance trials and the designers themselves are wonderful. Oh, I also appreciate watching someone fire these old rifles who genuinely loves to shoot and is obviously having fun with this. As I've sad before...THIS is why we shoot.

[@Candrsenal]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@Dgotpwnd]

I own an Enfield, and I've never done a mad minute. Ammo is expensive!

[@proguncanada]

You’ve never lived.

[@samrodian919]

If ammo is expensive then load your own dummy!

[@cloroxlavenderscent4307]

I've done it, its fun. Though I only did about 10 or 11 rounds. That ammo is expensive. But I got some surplus. 40 rounds for 25 bucks.

[@-John-Doe-]

@@cloroxlavenderscent4307 that’s why everyone loves the Ishapore 2a1.

[@samiam619]

@@-John-Doe- “Everyone”? No, not everyone.

[@paulmanson253]

Got to say,Mae, that was the best grin yet.

[@jeffryheintz9405]

I've had several Lee-Enfields over the last 30 years, and I've NEVER done a "Mad Minute". Don't let the Internet Experts trouble you, they're irritating, but unimportant. Great video as always. Keep up the Good work.

[@the11kaj]

2 points to make with Mae: 1) I think that hand size must make a difference for operation of the safety. I have no trouble operating it with the thumb of my right hand without letting go of the pistol grip. With the cocking piece fully to the rear I have to reach over it, but it still feels very easy and natural. 2) Your description of the single stage trigger on the MLE #1 reminds me of the trigger feel on my ShtLE mark III (no star ... though it had gone through FTR in 1944, with some of the typical bits removed). There is no discernible takeup, it feels like it is going to be heavy, but then it unexpectedly breaks like glass. I just went and peeked in, and it is a two stage trigger as per the diagram in your video. But it sure feels like a single stage. Go figure. In any case, excellent video. You are of course right about the disadvantage of the .303 rimmed round. And about the short sight radius. And about the "busy" top. And about the dentable mag. And about the relative uselessness of the mag cutoff (btw ... I even saw a pic of a a pre production Lee Enfield #4 trials rifle which STILL featured it!). www.fototime.com/D37FCEB251B586C/orig.jpg But still ... ya gotta admit that they are awesome. My previously mentioned 1915 had been modified for service in the Great Canadian Moose wars (a conflict that still rages). I have brought her back to some semblance of her former glory. I originally bought it because It retained the original magazine cutoff. I added all the other bits, including a repro volley sight. Because dammit! NO STAR!! It is my favourite rifle to shoot.

[@FirstStrikeSabre]

Watching again as I polish my boots for the Vimy Ridge Centennial parade. (I'm Canadian Army) You guys do awesome work.

[@caveymoley]

DAMN IT! I'm half way through your talk and my father (who is listening but not watching) says to me, "This guy sounds a lot like Kermit the frog" and now I cant stop hearing it :(

[@baanimations3689]

Welcome to the club

[@myday805]

Oh crap. Thank you for that.

[@WildBillCox13]

As always, I love the nods toward other worthy KZbin channels. Ian and Indy (and company) are also favorites.

[@Saybeth20]

A friend gave me an 1917 Enfield SHTLE 303 about 25 years ago that he paid $70 for from an Army Surplus store. I took it deer hunting and dropped a small buck at 100 yards with only the iron sights. Good old gun. Thanks for this video!

[@thejourney2point0]

1:04:15 and suddenly, a wild audio file appeared!

[@jayfelsberg1931]

Practice and training enables you to set up the sight picture faster, load the strippers and keep the sight picture while operating the bolt. A few hundred rounds and you will love it, Mae.

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

I've handled quite a few of the various Lee Enfields over the years and the loading/stripper ease very much depends on how worn/knackered your stripper clips and magazines are. I've had some that just work like a Swiss watch, others that look OK but for some reason are an utter pig so you give up and do it by hand. These are over 100 years old now and even the newer ones are old. Finding decent stripper clips is an art form!

[@bruceinoz8002]

The Pattern 1907 bayonet, hooked quillon and all, is a straight lift from the Japanese type 30 bayonet for their Type 30 rifle, though it is more commonly seen on the Type 38 Arisaka. Because of serious ties between the IJN and the RN, British Ordnance folk became familiar with the Type 30 bayonet and the Japanese Navy adopted the .303 cartridge as the 7.7 x 56 cartridge in several machine-guns. The IJN was modeled on the Royal Navy; from ship and gun designs, to uniforms, mess 'traditions" (Sake, of course, substituted for rum when "toasting"), and tactics. The idea of a longer bayonet than the '03 seems to have surfaced because the SMLE / '03 assembly was much shorter than everybody else's bayonet fighting setup. The French took "reach" to ludicrous levels with their set-ups. As everybody at the time KNEW, the bayonet was how "REAL MEN" engaged in warfare. Potting them at 400 yards was decidedly "unsporting". Sir Hiram Maxim begged to differ, but, initially, only the Germans really took much notice of that upstart. Length-wise, the longer '07 bayonet on a SMLE is close enough for Government work, to a Lee Metford / Enfield with a Pat.'88. The "spirit of the pike" was a lot harder to kill than the millions of young men whose lives were snuffed out in the forthcoming war. Marching with fixed bayonets, in broad daylight and in extended lines, through the interlocked, enfilade, beaten zones of multiple Maxim guns and air-burst Shrapnel shells from artillery kilometres behind the "front line": What could go wrong?

[@tombrennan6312]

Great show. I'm more a history nut than a gun nut and I love all the detail. I like that Mae thinks for herself.

[@jotjotpoland2696]

I slowly get the feeling that I watch your videos just to see the "War Were Declared" montage...

[@Candrsenal]

that's a lot of overhead.

[@amateurshooter927]

My body is ready...

[@courierdog1941]

The Trigger is an extremely easy thing to cumin with a soft Arkansas stone and gun oil and careful stoning, All Marksmaen knew all the tricks and we used the armour as a resource for head spacing, bedding and barrel replacement, but all small details like trigger pull and bolt smoothing were performed by the individual man.

[@TaZ101SAGA]

Every time I see one of these rifles I have to pick it up... It's a British thing. Fantastic video as always.

[@FireAssayDevil]

Spiffing! Jolly good show old boy!

[@jaungiga]

Look, mom, no sleep!

[@danpos1971]

Great revue. I appreciate just how much research you guys put into this video. You even covered many small points like the BSA Co. mag cutoff policies, and the star struck out. Excellent, excellent job guys! My brother and I recently bought MKIII's that have been stored since the 50's and straight from the Canadian arsenal. So the timing for this episode was perfect. :)

[@wildcatindustries8030]

I almost traded my 1915 Enfield made SMLE for a Remington P14 with volley sights, but I decided against it, I really love these rifles and it took me taking it to the range again to remind me how good they are, the length of pull is short for me and I’m not a big fan of the sights but they are just so well balanced and fast

[@PartTimeJedi]

hmmm Mae looks a bit different.... My wife thinks it's her hair. Can't tell myself but we love her! 💗👍😁🇺🇸🔫

[@taterporkchop]

I should have waited until the end; how could you Mae? Carcano? I'm Italian and I can't endorse your statement. You still might get that riot.

[@davidbgraham461]

During my Army training , in the fifties, when operating the bolt, we were no allowed to use the palm of the hand. It was alleged that damage, to the hand, could be induced. Tne SMLE was to be run with forefinger and thumb wrapped around the bolt knob. I made ' Marksman' with my trusty , later production Smellie but, loathed SLR. Love your work and Ian's !!!

[@davidbgraham461]

Ft b

[@ekim000]

The best concise explanation if the Boer Wars that I've seen on the yoochoob. Love your work.

[@bigghoss762]

WHATWHATWHAT?!? What do you mean the Lee-Enfield isn't the most bestest evar?!? RABBLERABBLERABBLERABBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[@baanimations3689]

ENFIELD BESTFIELD AMIRITE? :)

[@windogendoors7566]

YOU ARE JUST MOUSER FANBOYS GRRRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGR. rIMS R NOT A PROBLEM RGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRG~Enfield fanboy

[@clayh254]

I love both the Mauser and the Enfield, but I prefer the Enfield.

[@trekaddict]

Same here. In a fight, I'd rather have the ten rounds.

[@tybushnell9819]

I just got a Lee Enfield and I’ve own a Mauser 1895 Chilean the same kind Mauser sold to the orange free state but instead this one went to Chili. Now that I’ve got a Mk 4, albeit it’s not quite like the earlier version I’m certain it’ll give me a feel for what Lee Enfield’s are all about. Maybe so as to compare with my Mauser.

[@jonbumcrot2934]

Great rifle, ahead of it's time. Still fielded in the sandbox.

[@LifeStyle-uh1ns]

So I am about to start watching this. However, I do not honestly want to begin before saying thank you very much Othias and Mae and all other contributors. I really appreciate the effort you guys put into these videos.

[@LifeStyle-uh1ns]

By the way, no G98 in the top 5? I mean.... My top 5 WW1 rifles would be. 1 Mauser 2 Mauser 3 Mauser 4 Dutch Beaumont (ok, maybe not) 5 Lee Enfield. No US Mauser ripoff necessary in top 5 as it is still a Mauser. ;-)

[@brucemcnally3924]

Wonderful piece of research, thank you! The SMLE Mk III is to me the nicest looking rifle ever designed. To my eternal delight I scored one bull out of a ten round clip at 1000 yards over open sights at Bisley in Surrey using extreme Kentucky windage, a memorable day. Thanks again.

[@JackDo-lu8ux]

SMELLY TIME!!! ALL HAIL LORD OTHIAS AND THE RELIGION OF C&RSENAL!!! Jack the Korean History/Gun nut. P.S.) I've enlisted for service in the Navy and will be off to Boot Camp in April, wish me luck guys!

[@Candrsenal]

Luck

[@JackDo-lu8ux]

Thanks guys, I needed that!

[@shilelea]

도형섭 may the demilitarized zone remain demilitarized and good luck

[@thurin84]

korean? smooth or crunchy?

[@JackDo-lu8ux]

milcoll73 I prefer Crunchy, you?

[@TeamRetroWorld]

*Rule Britannia--Brittania rules the waves*

[@mikeoxsmal8022]

TeamRetroWorld Brittania rules the period blood

[@milrevko]

A truly awesome show an hour and 40 minutes on the SMLE just doesn’t get better than that thanks keep up the good work keep line straight, Steady

[@bobbm1]

its great fun when you fall asleep to these videos. when you have your volume adjusted to hear him speak gunshots are very loud and thats two thumbs up.

[@ceooflovingthehomies9294]

Carcano being Compared to Lee Enfield? :O gasp, I am going to riot! #notmymae XD jk

[@josemoreno3334]

Wait for me.

[@SnarkyPosters]

Only an hour and forty minutes? Slacker! :P

[@maxiggy8069]

literally refreshed the page all day for this. awesome episode!

[@JohnRSrlie]

Simply awesome, thank you and youre team/family so much for making this possible.

[@Candrsenal]

Glad you are enjoying it

[@Sauerkrautkopf]

Do you SMLE it? That SMLE ? A kind of SMLE-y SMLE, a SMLE-y SMLE that SMLEs ... SMLE-y...

[@thurin84]

pack up your rifle in your old saddle scabbard and SMLE, SMLE, SMLE......

[@cheerfulpessimist952]

Anchovies.......

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

THE PIONEERS USED TO RIDE THESE BABIES FOR MILES

[@kentdyer7699]

Sauerkrautkopf I

[@Josh93B93]

Maybe the spring for my follower is too old, but I have tried forcing rim jams in my enfield, back loading them up to 4 at a time, the rims still just pop over the ones below for some reason., bloke on the range made a video about it, its really a non issue

[@ldmitruk]

Hi, On the E.Y. stamp. From The Lee: British Service Rifle 1888 to 1950 by Robert J. Dynes, "The RIFLE. SHORT MAGAZINE LEE-ENFIELD, MARK III E.Y. (SMLE, Mk. III E.Y.) was also introduced in 1918. These rifles were to have the letter E.Y. (Emergency) stamped on the butt and were to only be used in an emergency or firing grenades with the cup discharger. A bolt was passed through the stock fore-end and the stock was bound with copper wire and soldered to prevent splitting. Two types of grenades were used with the cup discharger: First, the anti-personnelle No. 36 Mills with its cast serreate body and gas check, and Second, the No. 68 anti-tank grenade. Special sheet metal sights, attached with wing nuts were employed when using the latter."

[@Candrsenal]

Yep, I'm aware of the claim but it's a bit dubious. They weren't for emergencies, just grenades.

[@gordon9821]

These are some mammoth-size episodes. Amazing job, Othais and Mae!

[@arisukak]

Lithgow is pronounced Lith-go. It doesn't rhyme with cow.

[@Matt123a]

Try saying Saskatchewan and Massachusetts after a couple of VB's...

[@dunxy]

Yup very much GO, like "i must go to the museum" next time in in NSW. Gun Jesus pronounces it correctly.

[@mattrich7998]

New Channel Lithgow or as its pronounced "Lith-go"....is in Australia not the UK. So....its pronounced as such....whether your 'merican or not.

[@mattrich7998]

@@spudgunn8695 Na mate I'm Australian. It's definitely supposed to be "go" and not "gow".

[@anthonyhayes1267]

I just call it the Lithy bc it sounds cute

[@HillbillyHades]

the hype train has reached the speed of light

[@WitcherGary]

The way this channel is going is amazing! Feature film length episodes... i dig that. So i thank your whole team, and will be joining your Patreon soon. You deserve that. Cheers. PS. Give thanks to ''The great war" ,your first coop with them brought me here.

[@Candrsenal]

Glad you're enjoying it!

[@ScottRuggels]

I am so proud of my baby. My first was one of those squared off Ishapore Arsenal rifles, but in .303, but the prize was a minty 1917 dated parade rifle (Polished metal, boned stock, Polished oil bottle, blemish free from front to back and bore). It started a minor obsession with Lee Enfield rifles.

[@grumpybastard5744]

Great episode! but we Aussie pronounce it Lithgo.

[@Kasperl88]

How much longer until we get 3 hour videos?

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

Mosin episode.

[@Candrsenal]

No where near enough reliable information out there. Lots of the Mosin's early history is politicized and has been rehashed multiple ways.

[@clayronso3932]

1911 had a long development time with various models. Forgotten Weapons has shown all or just about all of the development versions before the final was accepted. Dont know if that can be stretched out to Lawrence of Arabia length though.

[@goshamus]

This was a great video. I learned a ton about my 1916 Lee-Enfield. Thank you!

[@TheSizzle06]

😂 Othais, I thought you were going to pass out when that 3rd spot contention got going. Fantastic episode! Thank you all so much for your hard work and passion.