James Paris Lee 1831-1904
Text from the plaque
One of the foremost 19th century arms inventors, Lee was born in Scotland. In 1836 his family came to Canada and settled at Galt. Lee was trained in his father's profession of watchmaker and jeweller, before moving to Wisconsin about 1858, where he began his career as an inventor. His greatest contribution to firearms design was made in 1878 when he completed the development of the "box magazine". Tradition holds that this occurred at Wallaceburg while Lee was visiting his brother John, a local foundry owner. The magazine was first incorporated in his U.S. Navy rifle of 1879. Eight years later his rifle was adopted by the British Army and, with modifications, it became, in 1895, the Lee-Enfield, which remained a standard British weapon for over sixty years.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent
In Wallaceburg, in a park with a fountain
at the west end of the one-way section of James Street
near the bridge over the North Sydenham River
N 42 35.554 W 82 23.245
Recorded August 2004. Check current access before visiting.
Visitors' notes
November 26, 2013
I have in my possession pretty much the entire life and times of James Paris Lee. I have most of his documents, mechanical drawings, hand written and signed by Lee and Major players in the military at the time. Contracts with Springfield Arms Co. Winchester, Savage, and several others. Even documents from his fathers business as a watch maker on parchment paper. It is literally a couple of very old trunks full of stuff. Contact me if interested or may know of anyone that would be. Thanks! John Powers email-