Remington-Lee
Remington Arms · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1879
Also known as: Lee Model 1879, Remington-Lee Magazine Rifle
Overview
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.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3856 g (136.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1232 mm (48.50") |
| Barrel Length | 749 mm (29.49") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 410 m/s (1345 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2221 J (1638 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 450 m (492 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
Calibers
- .45-70 Government · primary — also known as .45-70, .45-70-405, 11.6x53mmR
- .43 Spanish — also known as 11.15x57mmR, 11.15x58R Spanish
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Detachable Box Magazine, Self Cocking Bolt, Two Locking Lugs
Variants
- Remington-Lee Model 1879 — Military Rifle
- Remington-Lee Model 1882 — Military Rifle
- Remington-Lee Model 1885 — Navy Rifle
- Remington-Lee Model 1899 — Sporting
Service history
Operators
- United States Navy · adopted 1881 · as Model 1879 / Model 1885
- United States Army · adopted 1884 · as Model 1882 (trials)
- Imperial Chinese forces · adopted 1884
Conflicts
- American Indian Wars (1880-1890)
Production
Production years: 1879-1899
Roughly 7,500 M1879, ~750+ M1882 (US Army trial), ~3,400 M1885 Navy, plus large China export orders
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: James Paris Lee
Discontinued: 1899
Notes
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.
Background
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.