Lee–Metford

Lee–Metford
Lee–Metford
Type	Service rifle
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
In service	1888–present (ceremonial)
Used by	See Users
Wars	various Colonial conflicts; First Sino-Japanese War; First Italo-Ethiopian War; Second Boer War; Boxer Rebellion; British expedition to Tibet; 1904 Paraguayan Revolution; World War I (limited); Irish War of Independence; Chaco War; Second Italo-Ethiopian War; World War II;
Production history
Designer	James Paris Lee, RSAF Enfield
Manufacturer	RSAF Enfield
Unit cost	£3/15/– = £3.75 in 1892-1893
Produced	1884–1896
Variants	MLM Mk II; MLM Carbine; Charlton Automatic Rifle;
Specifications
Length	49.5 in (1,260 mm)
Barrel length	30.2 in (770 mm)
Cartridge	Cartridge .303 Mk I
Calibre	.303 in (7.7 mm)
Action	Bolt-action
Rate of fire	20 rounds/minute
Muzzle velocity	2,040 ft/s (620 m/s)
Effective firing range	c. 800 yards (730 m)
Maximum firing range	1,800 yards (1,600 m)
Feed system	8 or 10-round magazine
Sights	Sliding leaf rear sights, Fixed-post front sights, "Dial" long-range volley sights

The Lee–Metford rifle (a.k.a. Magazine Lee–Metford, abbreviated MLM) is an obsolete bolt-action British army service rifle, combining James Paris Lee's rear-locking bolt system and detachable magazine with an innovative seven-groove rifled barrel designed by William Ellis Metford. It replaced the Martini–Henry rifle in 1888, following nine years of development and trials, but remained in service for only a short time until replaced by the similar Lee–Enfield.

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