| BSAJoe |
| (.224 member) |
| 17/06/04 09:45 AM |
Introduction
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Greetings all,
As you may have already gathered from my Username, BSAJoe, I have an interest in BSA rifles, Lee Speed commercial sporters, to be exact. My first bought a few years ago was a No. 1 pattern carbine in 303 with a bore so shot out you could nearly pass an 8mm bullet through! That rifle was re-rifled to .35/303 or 303/35 depending on which side of the pond you are on.
Over time, I have picked up a couple of No. 2 patterns, one an Army & Navy, another with a neat bolt/striker peep sight ala Rigby. Then along came a No. 3 in nice condition.
I am very much in the lookout for a .375 Express Lee Speed, and the 2 I have seen in this forum have just whetted my appetite more....so if anyone comes across one, think of me!
I find these neat old rifles as a pipeline to the days of Patterson, Taylor, and Bell.
I spent a few nights looking over these forums and I find that my interest in Africa and BSA Lee Speeds fit right in.
It is a pleasure to learn from you all.
Joe M.
Houston, TX
| Bakes |
| (.375 member) |
| 17/06/04 11:12 AM |
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Re: Introduction
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Welcome to the site Joe.
| Marrakai |
| (.416 member) |
| 17/06/04 11:45 PM |
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Re: Introduction
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Hey G'day Joe! Great to see another BSA fan!
I've got a couple of Lee Speeds myself, simply love 'em. Best is a A&N-retailed No.1-pattern sporter with the Harris-patent magazine controller, which is now famous by way of Skennerton's "Arms & Militaria COLLECTOR" No.22, page 30. Funny thing, the previous owner doesn't remember those photos being taken, but he is credited!
Just to whet your appetite, here's a couple I took myself:
If I ever see a Lee Speed in .375 NE offered for sale, I'll call you straight away......
..and tell you how good it looks in my gunsafe!
| BSAJoe |
| (.224 member) |
| 18/06/04 12:27 AM |
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Re: Introduction
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Marrakai,
Wow, great looking No. 1! I will have to post some pics of my No. 1s, I have a carbine and a rifle, but they are in rather average condition, not as good as shape as yours! One of mine came from BC, CA and those Maple leaf folks really use their Lee Speeds!
Well, I guess they are not in bad shape for 100+ yr old rifles.And please, don't email me pics of a 375 Express if you find it first!
BTW, I am not familiar with the "Harris-patent magazine controller, which is now famous by way of Skennerton's "Arms & Militaria COLLECTOR" No.22, page 30."
Can you scan the page and email it to me? I will purchase the issue when Skennerton comes back to our Houston show which he does annually, I believe. I would appreciate that.
Have a great day,
Joe
in Houston
NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 18/06/04 01:12 PM |
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Re: Introduction
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Welcome Joe to the NE.com forums.
I hope you find your.375 Express. What a great piece of shooting (and using) nostalgia it would be.
| ALAN_MCKENZIE |
| (.400 member) |
| 19/06/04 11:10 PM |
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Re: Introduction
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This site is worth checking out.
Al
http://www.hallowellco.com/alex_martin____custom_lee.htm
| BSAJoe |
| (.224 member) |
| 20/06/04 05:23 PM |
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Re: Introduction
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Alan,
Yes, I have checked out that Lee Speed already. Pity the wood has been refinished.
Also, I find it interesting that the rifle has both the tang sliding safety and the military safety on the bolt.
And the price....
Too rich for my blood!| 470Nitro |
| (.333 member) |
| 21/06/04 06:41 PM |
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Re: Introduction
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Welcome @ nitroexpress.com
.
| Marrakai |
| (.416 member) |
| 23/06/04 12:30 AM |
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Re: Introduction
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BSAJoe:
I actually meant the RIFLE was now famous, not the magazine controller!
Here's a scan of the page from Arms & Militaria Collector mag, featuring the Lee Speed in question:
http://img35.photobucket.com/albums/v107/Marrakai/Firearms/LeeSpeedArticle.jpg
...a bit disappointing, since the article is 'Rifles at Random; turn-of-the-century quality...', but not one word about the actual rifle itself! Still, good info on the BSA Lee Speeds generally.
Skennerton refers to the magazine controller as "Punchard's Magazine Filler", and acknowledges Punchard with the name 'Harris' in brackets in 'The Lee Enfield Story', but my rifle only has Harris's patent numbers on the floorplate. Magazine fillers became obsolete with the adoption of clip-loading a year or two later.
| ALAN_MCKENZIE |
| (.400 member) |
| 26/06/04 09:59 PM |
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Re: Introduction
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Check out :- Rifles up to 375
Al