Question for the Remington-Lee experts

gyvel · June 1, 2014, 10:44 AM

What is the purpose of the Lee-Cook sliding detent on Rem-Lee magazines?

Tidewater_Kid · June 1, 2014, 03:00 PM

According to my book, it was for securing the rounds in the magazine.

I own the 1899 version in 30-40 Krag and it doesn't use that feature.

TK

gyvel · June 1, 2014, 04:19 PM

Quote:

I own the 1899 version in 30-40 Krag and it doesn't use that feature.

Yes, I think it was only used on the 1879 model. I have both an 1882 and 1885 and neither have that feature.

While on the subject, do you know if the 6mm Lee Navy mags are interchangeable with the .30-40? I came across a Rem-Lee Sporter in 6mm but, at the time, I failed to notice that the included mag was for a shorter cartridge in the .30-30, 32-40 etc. category. (Has a filler block and shorter follower.)

Years ago I had a Michigan State Militia 1899 in .30-40, and I can't remember if I tried the mag in the 6mm or not.

At any rate, if you hear of someone who has an original mag that will function with 6mm Navy and needs a 30-30, 32 WS, 32-40, etc. mag, I'd be happy to trade 'em the one I have; It's of no use to me.

Tidewater_Kid · June 1, 2014, 08:41 PM

My 1899 rifle (its been sportered) is a Michigan State Militia rifle too.

As far as a 30-40 mag working for 6mm, I have no idea if it would work. Looking a the dimensions of the 6mm cartridge it would say it would be worth a shot. I have seen several magazines on eBay of late.

TK

James K · June 1, 2014, 09:08 PM

FWIW, the first three patent dates on the Model 1899 are the Louis Diss patents for the box magazine, the first magazine (at least in the U.S.) to retain the cartridges when the magazine is not inserted in the rifle, allowing loaded magazines to be kept for reloading. The Diss patents were still in effect when one John Browning used the idea in a brand new gadget called an automatic pistol and, until the patents expired, Colt marked pistol magazines with the Diss patent dates.

Jim

gyvel · June 2, 2014, 02:57 AM

Jim, I wasn't aware that this type of box was patented by Diss; I had always thought Lee himself patented it. I knew that Browning didn't come up with the idea. In a way, I'm a bit disappointed that Lee himself didn't come up with this idea, but, then again, most of the so-called greats had others working for them.

I went into my "deep dark storage vault" and dug out my '82 and '85 RLs, One of the mags has four patent dates on it.* Are these the Diss Patents? They do definitely hold the cartridges in place out of the gun, though.

*Look like: "Patented May 28 1872, Nov. 4th 1879 Aug. 26th 1884, Sep. 9th 1884"

Sound right to you?

gyvel · June 2, 2014, 03:54 PM

Jim, you piqued my curiosity and I did some elementary research, coming up with this:

http://jamesdjulia.com/item/lot-1680...-p-diss-31861/

It's apparently a patent model for his R-L magazine before it was folded and welded.

Seems he was a bit of a prolific inventor at that; He also has patents involving typewriters, and probably more.

James K · June 2, 2014, 08:19 PM

The Diss patent numbers and dates for the magazine are 303,992, Aug 26, 84; 304,712, Sept 9, 84; and 313856, March 17, 85. Of course other dates on the guns at different points were Lee patents. The Diss patents include not just the magazine but how to make it.

Jim

gyvel · June 3, 2014, 04:58 AM

The link to the James Julia auction is the original patent model for patent 304712. It is the magazine before folding and welding. Quite interesting.

Moocow9 · August 30, 2014, 04:11 PM

Looking for a good load that won't put my stock at risk of wrist cracking. I have an 1899 in 30-40. Thanks!

**44 AMP** · August 30, 2014, 08:28 PM

If the wood is in sound condition, and the fitting of the stock is not loose, any standard load should be fine. If the wood, or the fit is questionable, no load approaching normal will remove all risk.

A bunney phart (gallery) load / a light load with a cast bullet would have the least risk if your stock was questionable.

If the gun is fit to shoot with regular level loads, I would suggest the starting loads in the old Lyman books, and if they work well, staying there.

Good luck

and WELCOME TO TFL!

Moocow9 · August 31, 2014, 12:17 AM

Thanks. I plan on using factory style loads with lighter bullets. From what I've seen , the stock is in great shape...I'm hoping to keep it that way.

June 1, 2014, 10:44 AM	#1
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Question for the Remington-Lee experts What is the purpose of the Lee-Cook sliding detent on Rem-Lee magazines?

June 1, 2014, 08:41 PM	#4
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	My 1899 rifle (its been sportered) is a Michigan State Militia rifle too. As far as a 30-40 mag working for 6mm, I have no idea if it would work. Looking a the dimensions of the 6mm cartridge it would say it would be worth a shot. I have seen several magazines on eBay of late. TK Last edited by Tidewater_Kid; June 2, 2014 at 09:13 PM.

June 2, 2014, 03:54 PM	#7
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Jim, you piqued my curiosity and I did some elementary research, coming up with this: http://jamesdjulia.com/item/lot-1680...-p-diss-31861/ It's apparently a patent model for his R-L magazine before it was folded and welded. Seems he was a bit of a prolific inventor at that; He also has patents involving typewriters, and probably more. Last edited by gyvel; June 3, 2014 at 04:56 AM.

August 30, 2014, 04:11 PM	#10
Moocow9 Junior Member Join Date: August 30, 2014 Posts: 2	Another Rem-Lee question Looking for a good load that won't put my stock at risk of wrist cracking. I have an 1899 in 30-40. Thanks!

August 30, 2014, 08:28 PM	#11
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,835	If the wood is in sound condition, and the fitting of the stock is not loose, any standard load should be fine. If the wood, or the fit is questionable, no load approaching normal will remove all risk. A bunney phart (gallery) load / a light load with a cast bullet would have the least risk if your stock was questionable. If the gun is fit to shoot with regular level loads, I would suggest the starting loads in the old Lyman books, and if they work well, staying there. Good luck and WELCOME TO TFL! __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

June 1, 2014, 03:00 PM	#2
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	According to my book, it was for securing the rounds in the magazine. I own the 1899 version in 30-40 Krag and it doesn't use that feature. TK

June 1, 2014, 09:08 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	FWIW, the first three patent dates on the Model 1899 are the Louis Diss patents for the box magazine, the first magazine (at least in the U.S.) to retain the cartridges when the magazine is not inserted in the rifle, allowing loaded magazines to be kept for reloading. The Diss patents were still in effect when one John Browning used the idea in a brand new gadget called an automatic pistol and, until the patents expired, Colt marked pistol magazines with the Diss patent dates. Jim

June 2, 2014, 02:57 AM	#6
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Jim, I wasn't aware that this type of box was patented by Diss; I had always thought Lee himself patented it. I knew that Browning didn't come up with the idea. In a way, I'm a bit disappointed that Lee himself didn't come up with this idea, but, then again, most of the so-called greats had others working for them. I went into my "deep dark storage vault" and dug out my '82 and '85 RLs, One of the mags has four patent dates on it.* Are these the Diss Patents? They do definitely hold the cartridges in place out of the gun, though. *Look like: "Patented May 28 1872, Nov. 4th 1879 Aug. 26th 1884, Sep. 9th 1884" Sound right to you?

June 2, 2014, 08:19 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The Diss patent numbers and dates for the magazine are 303,992, Aug 26, 84; 304,712, Sept 9, 84; and 313856, March 17, 85. Of course other dates on the guns at different points were Lee patents. The Diss patents include not just the magazine but how to make it. Jim

June 3, 2014, 04:58 AM	#9
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	The link to the James Julia auction is the original patent model for patent 304712. It is the magazine before folding and welding. Quite interesting.

August 31, 2014, 12:17 AM	#12
Moocow9 Junior Member Join Date: August 30, 2014 Posts: 2	Thanks. I plan on using factory style loads with lighter bullets. From what I've seen , the stock is in great shape...I'm hoping to keep it that way.