LOL

You're bustin' me up Marrakai!

I was writing with a bit of grin, but NOT a smirk, I swear! In fact, I have a fake Lee Speed project underway right now: an orphaned MLM MkII* action with Lithgow heavy barrel. Still trying to decide what to do about the wood. I don't plan on engraving anything (!), but I have to devise some way to plug the unsightly holes on the left-hand side where the volley sight went. I was thinking of fitting a polished disc with my initials or something brash in Latin. I support the creation of homemade Lee Speeds 100%, provded they are done with care and attention to detail, and if they don't involve chopping up anything historical. But like I outlined in my last post, it's not cheap.

Marrakai is right about finding a genuine Lee Speed that needs some TLC. That's the best route that keeps you in the sanity lane. My very first Lee Speed was something of a bitsa along these lines. It was an engraved BSA No.1 or No.2 pattern (impossible now to tell which) with matching bolt, magazine, and fore-end. However, the barrel had been replaced with a military SMLE barrel, broad arrow and all. And then the whole thing was conspicuously reblued (maybe to cover the pitting). The owner had the good taste to keep the express sights and fit them to the new barrel. What's really funny is that the buttstock is a replacement--the checkering is clearly not up to BSA standards and the color doesn't match--but it had the tang safety fitted! That must have been a bit of work! If only these old rifles could talk...

As for Tinker's action, yeah, it's sort of like trying to restore a vintage motorcycle starting with only the frame. But the thing is super rare. I have never seen a commercial MLM MkI before this---have any of you? The thing belongs in a museum. Or in a display case in my study (hint, hint, Tinker!:)). Restoring it is sort of pointless. I think it's an amazing find and I appreciate it just for what it is. Certainly the earliest commercial Lee Metford I've ever seen. Hell, I've never even seen a Gov't MLM MkI, outside of books!