In recognition of Wallaceburg’s 150th anniversary this year, the Wallaceburg & District Museum has launched a new feature on social media: ‘150 Facts, for 150 Years’.
Here is one of their recent posts:
“In 1878, James Paris Lee (1832-1904) and his brother John perfected a box magazine which enabled rapid rifle fire. A well trained rifleman could get off approximately 15 shots a minute.
The prototype was tested successfully in Wallaceburg across the Sydenham from the Lee Bros Foundry and is on display in the museum. The rifle was perfected in Wallaceburg on a site opposite the Municipal Building. The box magazine became known as the Lee principal. Patent rights were purchased by England after Canada turned down the offer. England bought the patent rights for 50,000 pounds plus 50¢ for each magazine.
The rifle was produced in Enfield England in 1888, thus the “Lee Enfield” name and a steel spry was added which forced out the empty shell and pushed the new bullet into place. This development led to the production of the new “Lee Enfield” rifle. These rifles went on to be some of the most famous of the world wars. It was the standard military issue for the British and its colonial armies for approximately 60 years and remained in service longer than any other rifle in history. The major benefits of this rifle compared to others of the period included a ten round magazine, a quick rate of fire, superior accuracy, reliability in harsh conditions, and a light weight design.
In 1975, they erected a plaque in civic park that stated “Tradition holds that this (the first firing) occurred at Wallaceburg while Lee was visiting his brother John, a local foundry owner.”
The plaque is located in Civic Park close to the Original location of John Lee’s foundry.
Given Myszkowski’s (a Lee Rifle Historian) patent information and the oral testimony of the Lee family it is reasonable to assume that this rifle is “the prototype” and was created in 1878.
Used in:
– Boer War (1899-1902)
– World War I (1914-1918)
– World War II (1939-1945
– Korean War (1951-1952)
We also have John Lee’s original workbench and some of his tools that were used in perfecting the rifle.
If you have an old photo, or video, that you would like to see on the Sydenham Current, let us know by sending us an email to sydenhamcurrent@gmail.com.
