E. · Rifle

Remington-Lee

Name: Remington-Lee
Brand: E.

Bolt action · .45-70 Government · introduced 1879

Also known as Lee Model 1879, Remington-Lee Magazine Rifle

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About the Remington-Lee

The Remington-Lee was the first practical detachable box-magazine bolt-action rifle, designed by James Paris Lee and built by Remington (with early Model 1879 receivers made by the Sharps Rifle Company). Its five-round detachable magazine and turn-bolt action made it decades ahead of contemporaries, and it became the first such repeater adopted by a U.S. armed service when the Navy bought it. It was offered in .45-70 Government, .43 Spanish and other chamberings across the 1879, 1882, 1885 and 1899 models.

James Paris Lee's detachable-box magazine, first made practical in this Remington-built rifle, is the direct ancestor of the Lee-Enfield system that armed the British Empire through both World Wars.

Remington-Lee specifications

General

Type: Rifle
Action: Bolt action
Firing mechanism: Striker-fired
Trigger: Single stage
Calibres: .45-70 Government, .43 Spanish
Magazine capacity: 5 rounds
Magazine: Detachable box magazine

Dimensions

Barrel length: 749 mm (29.5 in)
Overall length: 1232 mm (48.5 in)
Weight (empty): 3.86 kg (8.50 lb)

Barrel

Rifling: Right hand

Materials

Barrel: Steel
Receiver / frame: Steel
Stock: Wood

Performance

Muzzle velocity (typical): 410 m/s (1345 fps)
Muzzle energy (typical): 2221 J (1638 ft·lb)
Effective range: 450 m

History

Introduced: 1879
Discontinued: 1899
Production status: Out of production
Country of origin: US
Designer: James Paris Lee

Available calibres

.45-70 Government.43 Spanish

Features

Detachable box magazine
Self cocking bolt
Two locking lugs

Safety

Half cock notch

In the 1884-85 US Army trials the Lee was judged the best of the magazine rifles tested but troops still preferred the single-shot Trapdoor Springfield. The Lee detachable-box system is the direct ancestor of the Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield.