Latvia's Unique Charger-Loading Lee Enfield (CLLE) Cavalry Carbine
Bolt Action Rifles
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14m
During the Latvian War of Independence, the nationalist forces receiver a fair bit of support form the British, including some 20,000 P14 Enfield rifles. These were great for the Latvian infantry, but the Latvian cavalry wanted something shorter. So in the early 1920s, they ordered 2200-2350 (the numbers are unclear) carbines from BSA. These were assembled using old Lee Metford and Long Lee parts, 21 inch barrels, and modified with charger clip bridges per the British CLLE pattern.
These carbines remained in service until World War Two, as we know that replacement barrels were purchased from Tikkakoski in Finland in the late 1930s - and this example has one of those Tikka barrels installed. During the Soviet occupation of Latvia, the Latvian Army did not fight, and many of these carbines appear to have been put into reserve service with the Red Army (some appearing to have been retrofitted with Mosin-style sling slots). Others disappeared into the forest with anti-Soviet partisans, and very few survived after the war.
Many thanks to viewer Sam for loaning me this exceptionally rare rifle to film for you!
Video on the British CLLE Rifles:
https://forgottenweapons.vhx.tv/videos/charger-loading-lee-enfields-the-clle-mki-and-mkii
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