M1885 Remington–Lee
M1885 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 |
Manufacturer | Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company Remington |
Produced | 1879-1892 |
Specifications | |
Caliber | .45-70 Government, .43 Spanish |
Action | Bolt action |
Feed system | Box magazine |
The M1885 Remington–Lee (also known as the M1885 Lee, and "Navy M1885") 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[]
Sources[]
- ^ http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/Bolt%20Action%20Rifles/M1885%20Remington-Lee%20US%20Navy/The%20US%20Militry%20Remington-Lee.html
- ^ Shih, Bin (September 9, 2021). China's Small Arms of the 2nd Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) (2021 ed.). p. 133. ISBN 979-8473557848.
- ^ Scarlata, Paul. The Military Rifle Cartridges of New Zealand. Shotgun News, 2008, Volume 62, number 28, p. 18.
- .45-70 Rifles by Jack Behn. C1958 by Stackpole Publishing.
- Small Arms of the World by WHB Smith and Joseph Smith.
- Bolt-action rifles of the United States
- Remington Arms firearms
- Military equipment of New Zealand
- Early rifles
- Guns of the American West