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LEE-ENFIELD RIFLE MARK II LONG RANGE VOLLEY SIGHT
– MATCHING TWO PIECE SET IN VERY NICE CONDITION – A
SCARCE LEE ENFIELD RIFLE ACCESSORY: This set of
two matching components constituted the Long Range
Volley Sight for the British Lee-Enfield Rifle, designed
to concentrate a volley delivered by a body of soldiers
at a target of massed enemy troops at ranges beyond that
provided for by the standard rifle sight. The dial
face on the front sight assembly is stamped in yardage
increments, with a maximum range of 2800 yards - an
impressive one and a half miles.
As directed
by the officer or non-commissioned officer, the soldiers
would raise the front volley sight to the range
indicated on the dial face which when sighted through
the aperture of the raised rear volley sight would
provide the correct elevation to deliver the volley of
fire which would rain down on the massed enemy
formation. The soldier using this sight combination
would not aim at a specific enemy soldier; rather he
would direct his aim at the enemy formation as a whole,
the desired effect resulting from his fellow soldiers
doing the same.
VOLLEY SIGHT RETRACTED
VOLLEY SIGHT DEPLOYED
Having arranged his unit in ranks, the officer would
order the front volley sight set for a specific range,
then order, “One round, volley, fire.” He would then
order the sights adjusted based on the reaction of the
enemy formation, and once again “One round, volley,
fire.” Employing these repeated multiple volleys, the
effect of the bullets striking the enemy formation could
be devastating. It is worth noting that the magazine
cut off on the rifle was there to facilitate volley fire
wherein the soldier would load individual rounds from
his cartridge belt, leaving the magazine full for
reacting to threats to his immediate front.
The Long Range Volley Sights were mounted on the 1895
Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle Mk I, however, they were
incorporated on an Enfield 1888 Trials Rifle, and were
also provided for the Magazine Lee-Metford Rifle Mk I
manufactured beginning in 1889. They saw continued use
up to the onset of World War One.
The Long Range Volley Sight consisted of the rear sight
which mounted on the left side the safety catch, and the
front sight with the sight post and ranging dial mounted
on the left side of the forearm. The rear aperture of
the volley sight is at the end of an arm which pivots
around the outer stem of the safety catch and is used
exclusively in conjunction with the volley front sight
bead at the top of an arm which swivels on a plate
marked with the range increments.
These two components of the Long Range Volley Sight are
in excellent condition with a clean finish and no wear
or pitting. All of the maker and arsenal applied stamps
are present and legible. The selector dial on the front
sight moves smoothly without undue pressure, nor is it
loose where it fails to hold in the position to which it
is set.
This is a very nice set and it
will be a significant addition to your Lee Enfield Rifle
display.
(0570) $350
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