Lee Model 1879
Remington Arms · Rifle · Discontinued · 1879
Also known as: Remington-Lee Model 1879, M1879 Remington-Lee, Lee Magazine Rifle Model 1879
Overview
The Lee Model 1879 is a bolt-action repeating rifle chambered in .45-70 Government, designed by James Paris Lee and among the first bolt-action rifles with a detachable box magazine adopted by U.S. forces. Manufacturing of the Lee Arms Co. contract was first handed to the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company, and after Sharps went bankrupt in 1881, Remington completed the rifles for the U.S. Navy. The action used a two-lug bolt locking via the handle root and a lug on the left receiver wall, fed from a five-round detachable box magazine, and was issued to the U.S. Navy in the early 1880s.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3860 g (136.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1232 mm (48.50") |
| Barrel Length | 749 mm (29.49") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 411 m/s (1348 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2215 J (1634 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 550 m (601 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 3 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .45-70 Government · primary — also known as .45-70, .45-70 Govt, 11.6x53mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock
- Features: Detachable Box Magazine, Two Lug Bolt, Straight Bolt Handle, Full Length Stock
Service history
Operators
- United States Navy · adopted 1880
Production
Estimated total produced: 7,500 · Production years: 1881-1884
Approximately 7,500 Model 1879 rifles completed by Remington for the U.S. Navy contract after Sharps Rifle Co. went bankrupt.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: James Paris Lee
Discontinued: 1885
Notes
Patented by James Paris Lee on November 4, 1879. The U.S. Navy initially ordered 300 rifles, followed by a larger contract; roughly 7,500 Model 1879 rifles were completed by Remington between 1881 and 1884. The detachable box magazine pioneered on this rifle influenced later Lee designs including the Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield.
Background
James Paris Lee, a Scottish-born immigrant who came to the United States via Canada, patented the detachable box magazine that defined this rifle. Though the Model 1879 saw only modest U.S. Navy adoption, Lee's box-magazine concept proved revolutionary and became the foundation of the legendary Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield service rifles.