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As a collector of Lee Enfield's, this is fantastic! If ever you want to part with it, I'll be a happy chappy to purchase it!

Regards
Ian

Varifleman
That is a very nice MLE; it is interesting to see that the butt strap is unit marked to Canadian MR. I have not seen an OZ (Colonial or Commonwealth Horse) MLE with Boer War provenance marked with a unit designation - although the butt-discs of Lee Metford rifles and Carbines sometimes bear British unit markings. I note you mention that Arnold "retained" his rifle after his service. All the enlistment forms for Colonials I have seen have a clear proviso that all items of Government ownership had to be returned upon discharge. After all, an MLE was an expensive (and still current issue) bit of kit. Were Canadians allowed to keep their rifles?
Here in OZ there may still be encountered the occasional MLE with Boer War provenance or M93 Boer Mauser; sometimes with trophy markings. Most MLEs are pretty well shot-out (or rusted out due to lack of proper cleaning). However many years ago I did run across one with a reasonable bore and with modern ammunition it grouped very well at 200m. Recoil was light, bolt-throw was very slick and it had "pointability" against the snap target.
Thanks for posting the pics. I am sure that members would enjoy reading more of your posts.
Regards
IL.

PVT Arnold was the Great-Grandfather of the chap from whom I bought the rifle and the rifle was passed down directly from PVT Arnold through the grandfather and Father. It's interesting to note that Arnold, a US citizen born in West Virginia, is listed on the 1916 Canadian census as a farmer living in Calgary and Arnold returned to the US in October 1919 per the US Department of Labor border crossing form. I've requested information from several Canadian War and military museums concerning Arnold and this rifle and will post the results when they are available (on the average 4-6 weeks response time). I found this information about Canadian units retaining their service rifles:

Bought in 1896
July 15 2002 at 8:43 AM Clive M. Law - Service Publications

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I have a very thick file which details the purchasing mission of Colonel Percy Lake, Quarter-Master General, when he went to England in 1896 and bought the Lee-Enfield. Fascinating reading.
As an aside, Canadians who served in the South African War could keep their rifle when they returned. As only the First contingent were "Canadian" troops (paid for by Canada), and the rest were "British" (recruited in Canada but paid by the War Office), I am not sure if they could also keep their rifles. canadiansoldiers.com. This rifle has an excellent bore and I'll shoot it in our next vintage military rifle meet. This rifle has all-matching serial numbers (chamber, bolt and rear sight) and as far as I can determine unmodified by any later improvements and is still in its original configuration.