ANCILLARY
Slings and Chargers
The Sling
The Lee Enfield sling was designed only as a
carrying attachment. Unlike other military rifle slings, this one was not
intended to be used as a firing support aid.
Sling Attachment
To attach the sling, first insert the brass
end through the sling swivel so that the end is on the inside facing the other
swivel. Next you slide one edge of the canvas into the opening in the brass
"D". Once in, pinch the remaining edge in and slide it into the
"D" as well. Repeat the process at the other end and adjust the sling
length by sliding the brass "D"'s up or down the length of canvas.
Note, when finished the open end of the brass "D" should be facing
out away from the rifle stock.
Charger Loading
Unlike later model military rifles, the Lee
Enfield magazine was not intended (when empty), to be removed and replaced with
a full one. Lee Enfields were only ever intended to be loaded with 5 round
chargers (stripper clips), or topped-up from the breech, with loose rounds. To
this extent the rifle was only issued with one magazine. Because the .303 round
is a rimmed cartridge, certain care must be taken when loading ammunition into
the charger. The best method of loading the charger is the "one up, one
down" method, _-_-_. See figure 1. When loading loose rounds into the Lee
Enfield, make sure that each round has it's rim ahead of the last. This will
prevent the rims from catching each other and causing a jam.
To load filled chargers into the rifle, place the charger in the charger bridge
guide and using your thumb, apply steady downward pressure at the base of the
cartridges. If the rounds were packed correctly onto the charger, they will
fill the magazine in the correct sequence so as to prevent jams during bolt
cycling. When finished loading, closing the bolt will flick the now empty
charger out of the charger bridge and away from the receiver.
Filled
Charger set in Charger Bridge Guide
Figure 1