2152hq
(.300 member)
29/04/24 11:22 PM
Lee Sporter (kind of) in a 450 caliber. (?)

I picked this up at a local GunSHow for $225.
The action is commercial BSA marked. The action and bolt are matching ser#
The bbl has a row of British military inspectors marks underneath the forend wood.
The caliber looks indv hand stamped .450 Exp on the left side

Recv'r ring is Birmingham Nitro Proof marked.
No proof mark on bbl.

BBl is much smaller in dia than normal Enfield or SMLE bbl. No taper from the rev'r and no KnoxForm.

Forend has been glass bedded to fill in the bbl inlet from what was a much heavier contour bbl to take this bbl.

Holes and placement on bbl for what looks like were orig Military type rear vernier rifle sight.
Maybe a bbl from a Martini ?. It has been shortened to approx 26" and no has a Remington adj rear sight and a Williams commercial ramp on the front.

Bore is excl. Chamber visually looks like a slightly tapered case,,no visible 'neck' to it.

Left side of action marked 'Cartridge...then someone filed away what was originally next and stamped
450 H w x.
I'm not sure if the 2 1/8 marking is part of the restamp or was there originally.

No dust cover, no lugs for one on the bolt.
Enfield Safety on striker.

Magazine is a straightline feed and doesn't look to be a bubba put-together. The follower is
nicely made. Brit markings on the magazine spine.

Stock and forend I think are commercial Sporter offerings.
Refinished of course. There are some small stamped markings on both that appear as circles with gear teeth(?) around the outside of the circle and a letter inside the circle.
A same marking appears on one of the trigger or magazine catch parts inside as well.

Butt plate a steel checkered slightly curved plate with a blank shield in the center. Looks well fitted but maybe done aftermarket. The screws are not of gun screw quality. More like hardware store type.
Sling loop eyes front and back..

I have to do a chamber cast to really ID the cartridge.
I thought when buying it maybe a 45-70 caliber. But we will see.

I have a Lee/Speed Sporter butt stock at hand. An orphan stock I picked up at another show a few yrs ago for $50. No one knew what it fit. It'll go nicely on this rifle I think.
The existing FE will do with a refinish, slight reshaping, recheckering, ect..\
I have some Cut-Off plates, so one will occupy the empty spot on the rifle.
Sights,,I have a lot of sights..


Some pics...







Some markings









..and few more..







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