| Place | Africa: South Africa |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM15358 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Firearm |
| Physical description | Metal, Wood |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England |
| Date made | 1903 |
| Conflict |
South Africa, 1899-1902 (Boer War) Period 1900-1909 |
Lee-Enfield Mk I* Rifle : New South Wales Imperial Bushmen Corps
Description
Lee-Enfield Mk 1* bolt action rifle. Receiver marked ER Sparkbrook 1903 LE 1*. The butt is carved on the right side ERROL DOUGLAS GEO. HOSA PORT and on the left 1900 SOUTH AFRICAN 1901 CAMPAIGN No 655, IMPERIAL BUSHMEN with BOER WAR over ARGYLE 1900 within a shield surrounded with flags, an emu and a kangaroo. The bolt is missing from this rifle.
History / Summary
The carved butt is not original to this weapon due to the manufacture date on the rifle action being 1903. The reference to 655 Argyle 1900 is Trooper Harry Argyle who was a member of the New South Wales Imperial Bushmen Contingent and was wounded at Roodeval on 15 October 1900. However the Boer War roll of Australians does not contain a Douglas George Errol. The original accession register states 'Possibly the carvings were done after the soldier returned and on a rifle issued to him later' but this is doubtful.