M1885 Remington–Lee
| Remington–Lee | |
|---|---|
| Type | Rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Sino-French War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | James Paris Lee |
| Designed | 1879 |
| Manufacturer | Lee Arms Co. Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company Remington |
| Produced | 1879-1892 |
| Variants |
|
| Specifications | |
| Caliber | .45-70 Government, .43 Spanish |
| Action | Bolt action |
| Feed system | Box magazine |
The Remington–Lee is a bolt-action, box magazine repeating rifle designed principally by James Paris Lee.
Description
It first appeared in 1879, manufactured by the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company. Eventually Remington took over production and produced copies in .45-70. Arguably the most modern rifle in the world until the introduction of the 8 mm smokeless powder using Lebel M1886 rifle, the Lee utilized the first successful detachable box magazine, unlike the Lebel which still used a tube magazine.
The design was incorporated by the British into the Lee–Metford and Lee–Enfield rifles, thereby becoming one of the most widely used rifle designs of the 20th century. Remington's version of the Model 1879 saw only limited use by the U.S. Navy and the Model 1882 was tested by U.S. Army and issued on a very limited scale.[1] Ultimately, it was passed up in favor of the Krag–Jørgensen in 1892.
In 1884 China acquired 13,000 Remington-Lees chambered in .43 Spanish (11.15×58mmR). Of these, 4,000 were M1879s rechambered for the .43 caliber. During the Sino-French War they proved to be highly effective against the French Army, which predominately used the single-shot Gras rifle.[2]
New Zealand purchased 500 for its militia in 1887, also chambered in .43 Spanish. These were quickly replaced after complaints about ammunition quality.[3]
Users
Bolivia: Purchased 2000 Remington-Lee rifles of unknown model in 1891 in .43 Spanish, most likely M1885.[4]
Peru: Used the M1882 Remington-Lee in .45-70 Government.[5]
New Zealand: Purchased 500 M1885 Remington-Lee rifles in 1887 in .43 Spanish for the New Zealand Militia.[3]
Qing Dynasty: Purchased 4,000 M1879 Remington-Lee rifles in 1884 in .43 Spanish.[2]
United States[1]
Sources
- ^ a b http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/Bolt%20Action%20Rifles/M1885%20Remington-Lee%20US%20Navy/The%20US%20Militry%20Remington-Lee.html
- ^ a b Shih, Bin (September 9, 2021). China's Small Arms of the 2nd Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) (2021 ed.). p. 133. ISBN 979-8473557848.
- ^ a b Scarlata, Paul. The Military Rifle Cartridges of New Zealand. Shotgun News, 2008, Volume 62, number 28, p. 18.
- ^ Reynolds, Dan. "Rifles of Bolivia 1900-1990". carbinesforcollectors.com. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ Reynolds, Dan. "The Mauser Rifles of Peru". carbinesforcollectors.com. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- .45-70 Rifles by Jack Behn. C1958 by Stackpole Publishing.
- Small Arms of the World by WHB Smith and Joseph Smith.