Remington Lee

[jsalcedo]

This months American Rifleman has a fascinating article on the Remington Lee M1879 through M1885 and detailed production figures for the US army, Navy and thousands shipped to foreign nations.
They were produced in 45-70 and .43 Spanish

Apparently they were the first bolt action detachable magazine repeaters and were eventually developed into the SMLE

I've never seen one out of a Museum. Does anyone here own one of the earlier models? Pics?

 

[Badger Arms]

I remember seeing an old Remington Lee in a museum once before I knew too much about them. IIRC, it was in Illinois somewhere, but I could be wrong. Been about 15-20 year and I was much younger, but I do remember it was a Remington Lee!

http://www.19thcenturyweapons.com/gallerypages/remlee1003.html
http://www.remingtonsociety.com/books/Gene.shtml
http://www.gunsmithsociety.com/remington-lee.htm
http://www.cwguns.com/LONGARMS.htm
http://www.butterfields.com/areas/arms/7436a/detail/7436a-2373.htm
http://www.butterfields.com/areas/arms/7338A/detail/7338a-1746.htm

 

[Jim K]

I used to own a Remington Lee, though I don't remember what model it was. It was in .45-70, with a 5-shot magazine. The barrel was a stovepipe and a corroded one at that, so I sold it. The action was pretty smooth but the gun itself was a beater. It was definitely ahead of its time.

It is interesting that Lee, who first put a detachable box magazine on a rifle, had worked with Borchardt, who was the first to put one on a pistol. I don't think that was entirely coicidence.

Jim

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I want a lee action'd .45-70 badly. too bad the gibbs ones suck.