Here are two of my Lee Enfields that are turning 100 years old in 2009.

How’s this for a fine pair of “harmless” Little old ladies?

On your left is “Madigan”. She is a 1909 Enfield #1 MkIII with all her original bits intact. She is wearing an original leather sling and a rather rare 1907 bayonet with the hooked quillion intact. On your Right is Mathildé. She is a 1909 London Small Arms #1 MkI*** that, according to what I can find, was batched up from left over parts for Crown Forces in Ireland. She is sporting an original web sling and a 1903 bayonet that bears marking for the 1^st Battalion of the Berkshire Regiment. Although well worn, both of these old gals will let you shoot 12oz. soda cans off a fence at 200 yards all day long.

Here are some close ups of Madigan.

Here you can see the open magazine cut-off and the rear volley sight aperture.

Here is another view of the rear volley sight

Here is a not so good shot of the front volley sight dial and pointer

Here is the rear sight with adjustable wind gauge.

Here is the front sight and nose cap. This is a MkI style nose cap, but it is correct for this rifle as the Brits generally tried to use up all their old parts rather than waste them. This also gives you another view of the hooked quillion bayonet. This blade is one of the gems of my meager collection and it’s condition is a perfect match for the rifle. I paid less than $100.00 for this bayonet and 3 German blades on EBAY. This blade alone is worth $300.00.

This is Mathildé. This picture shows the sliding charger guide mounted on the bolt head. Compare this picture to the same view of Madigan to see the difference.

Here is the left side of Mathildé’s action.

This is a slightly better picture of the front volley sight dial and pointer.

The MkI rear sight and sight guards are different from the MkIII. That is actually an ivory or bone insert in the button for the slider. It was once white, but has darkened with age.