Lee–Enfield: Difference between revisions

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===Pattern 1913 Enfield===
{{Main|Pattern 1913 Enfield}}
Due to the poor performance of the [[.303 British]] cartridge during the [[Second Boer War]] from 1899 to 1902, the British attempted to replace the round and the Lee–Enfield rifle that fired it. The main deficiency of the rounds at the time was that they used heavy, round-nosed bullets that had low muzzle velocities and poor ballistic performance. The [[7×57mm Mauser]] rounds fired from the [[Mauser Model 1895]] rifle had a higher velocity, flatter trajectory and longer range, making them superior for the open plains of South Africa. Work on a long-range replacement cartridge began in 1910 and resulted in the [[.276 Enfield]] in 1912. A new rifle based on the Mauser design was created to fire the round, called the [[Pattern 1913 Enfield]]. Although the .276 Enfield had better ballistics, trials by British Army soldiers in 1913 revealed problems including excessive recoil, muzzle flash, barrel wear and overheating. It was hoped that a propellant with a lower burning temperature would be an improvement, but the onset of the [[First World War]] in 1914 ended development before a suitable propellant could be found. Wartime demand and the improved Mk VII loading of the .303 round caused the Lee–Enfield to be retained for service. Circa 1914 the Pattern 1913 design was modified as the [[Pattern 1914 Enfield]], mainly to use the .303 British cartridge. This weapon was mainly produced in the United States for British forces during the First World War. Upon the US entry into that war in 1917 the designweapon was further modifiedredesigned for US service as the [[M1917 Enfield]] rifle, using the [[.30-06 Springfield]] cartridge.<ref>[http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/256brit.htm THE .256 INCH BRITISH: A LOST OPPORTUNITY by Anthony G Williams] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606221212/http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/256brit.htm |date=6 June 2013 }}</ref>
 
==Inter-war period==