M1895 Lee Navy
Straight-pull magazine rifle adopted by U.S. Navy and Marines in 1895.
The M1895 Lee Navy is a straight-pull magazine rifle that saw limited adoption as a front-line infantry weapon by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in 1895. Officially designated the "Lee Rifle, Model of 1895, caliber 6-mm" by the Navy, it is also known as the Winchester-Lee rifle, Lee Model 1895, 6mm Lee Navy, or Lee Rifle, Model of 1895. It fired a 6mm (.236-inch) semi-rimless cartridge loaded with an early smokeless powder, propelling a 135-grain (later 112-grain) jacketed bullet. This same 6mm U.S.N. or Lee Navy cartridge was also used in the Navy’s version of the Colt–Browning Model 1895 machine gun.
In 1894, the U.S. Navy sought a modern small-bore, smokeless-powder rifle to match other leading naval powers. Initially considering a rimmed 6mm round, feeding problems led naval authorities to specify a semi-rimless or rimless cartridge for reliable function in both clip-fed rifles and machine guns. To stay ahead of the trend toward smaller, higher-velocity calibers, the Navy adopted a semi-rimless 6mm case capable of holding a heavy smokeless-powder charge.
On August 1, 1894, a naval test board convened at the Naval Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island, to evaluate submitted magazine rifles chambered for the new government-designed 6mm U.S.N. cartridge. The government supplied both ammunition and rifle barrels—the latter made of 4.5% nickel steel with Lee-Metford-pattern rifling (one turn in 6.5 inches), unchambered and with receiver threads uncut. The action had to withstand five overpressure proof cartridges at 60,000 psi.
In the first round of service trials, the board tested submissions including the Van Patten, Daudeteau, Briggs-Kneeland, Miles, Russell-Livermore Magazine Rifle, five Remington turnbolt designs (with side-mounted magazines), and the Lee straight-pull. A second round added the Model 1893/94 Luger 6mm Rifle, the Durst rifle, and a Lee turning-bolt design. The Durst prototype fractured its receiver during firing and was withdrawn. The Luger rifle performed excellently but failed to meet government specifications because it was chambered for a non-standard rimless 6mm cartridge. The Lee turning bolt was considered good but had a problematic magazine system.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- United States
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Service
- 1895–1907
- Used By
- United States Navy / United States Marine Corps
- Wars
- Spanish–American War / Philippine–American War / Boxer Rebellion
- Designer
- James Paris Lee
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms Company
- Production Date
- 1895
- Number
- Approx. 15,000
- Weight
- 8.32 lb
- Length
- 47.75 in
- Part Length
- 28 in
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The M1895 Lee Navy was developed after a naval test board convened on August 1, 1894, at the Naval Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island, to test submitted magazine rifles in the new 6mm Navy government chambering. The board tested several submissions, including the Van Patten, Daudeteau, Briggs-Kneeland, Miles, Russell-Livermore, five Remington turnbolt designs, and the Lee straight-pull. In a second set of trials, the Model 1893/94 Luger 6-mm Rifle and the Durst rifle were also considered, along with a Lee turning-bolt design. The Durst prototype fractured the receiver and was withdrawn; the Luger performed excellently but was chambered in a non-standard rimless 6mm cartridge and was withdrawn from the third round. The board found Lee's straight-pull design superior to the Miles and Russell-Livermore entries, particularly noting the superiority of the Lee clip-feed mechanism.
The first naval contract was let to Winchester for 10,000 rifles in January 1896, with deliveries not completed until 1897 due to manufacturing issues and contract changes. Of these, 1,800 were issued to the U.S. Marine Corps. Marine battalions did not begin to receive their new rifles and ammunition until 1897. A second contract for an additional 5,000 rifles at $18.75 each was let on February 7, 1898, with delivery from August to December 1898. Additional small purchases were made to replace lost weapons, mostly after a fire at the New York Navy Yard damaged or destroyed about 2,500 rifles; around 230 rifles were condemned as unrestorable.
Reader's Guide
The M1895 Lee Navy holds significance as the first American military rifle to use an en bloc clip system, loading five 6mm cartridges into the magazine. Its adoption by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in 1895 marked a shift to a small-bore, smokeless powder rifle, aligning with other naval powers. The rifle's straight-pull action was noted by the naval board as 'strong, simple, composed of few parts, and is susceptible of very rapid manipulation.' However, its service life was relatively short, with issues including a floating extractor design, fragile firing pin lock and bolt-lock actuator, and difficulties regulating en bloc clip tension, causing occasional feeding failures. The 6mm U.S.N. cartridge was also used in the navy version of the Colt–Browning Model 1895 machinegun. The rifle's legacy is tied to its innovative clip-loading mechanism, though it was eventually superseded. Sporting models with 24-inch barrels were sold commercially until 1916, while military rifles had 28-inch barrels and a navy anchor stamp.
Did You Know?
- The M1895 Lee Navy was the first American military rifle to use an en bloc clip of five cartridges.
- The Luger rifle performed excellently in trials but was withdrawn because it was chambered in a non-standard rimless 6mm cartridge.
More in Bolt-Action Rifles, Part 5 1-24
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