Original 19th Century Japanese M1889 Type 22 Murata 8mm Repeating Rifle - Serial 96727 Lee-Enfield (SMLE) the trapdoor Springfields were created

the trapdoor Springfields were created to convert Model 1863 Springfield rifled muskets to breech loading rifles at a relatively low cost

some original bluing

most that are available were taken back to England by returning Victorian Soldiers

The recess left by the adjacent locking screw had a small crescent shaped panel installed and this was filled and blued to match the action

as told by the markings on it

Original 19th Century Japanese M1889 Type 22 Murata 8mm Repeating Rifle - Serial 96727 Lee-Enfield (SMLE) the trapdoor Springfields were createdOriginal Item: Only One Available. The Murata rifle ( Murata j) was the first indigenously produced Japanese service rifle adopted in 1880 as the Meiji Type 13 Murata single shot rifle. The 13 referred to the adoption date, the year 13 in the Meiji period according to the Japanese calendar. Later revisions including a tubular magazine, and a reduced caliber, led to the introduction of the Type 22 in 1889, the 22nd year of the Meiji calendar.