|
|
|||||||
Gentlemen: The BSA Lee Speed rifles seem to have quite a following on NitroExpress.com, so I guess it's time I tossed up a few pics of the best example in my collection. This rifle is a particularly fine BSA No.1 Pattern sporter retailed by the Army & Navy Co-operative Society, London. It has all the usual hallmarks of the standard No.1 pattern, viz engraving, horn forend tip and grip-cap, tang safety, and that marvellous full-length engine-turned barrel-rib with retailer's name and cordite banners. What really distinguishes this particular example however, is the Harris Patent magazine filler, sometimes referred to as Punchard's magazine charger. Here's a pic of the rifle in profile: This photo shows a close-up of the RHS of the action: This pic shows the maker's (or rather, retailer's!) name in a banner on the rib: ...and the marvellous cordite banner! (Can't you tell? I just love this stuff!) This photo shows the tang safety-catch, a BSA & C.Proctor patent which referred to the device as a 'grip safety'. That term now has another meaning of course with the development of military pistols like the 1911 Colt. Here is the LHS showing the lever which operates the magazine platform or follower. When the lever is pushed forward, the platform drops to the floor-plate and a handful of .303 cartridges can be dumped into the magazine through the action with the bolt open. The lever is then released to 'rack the cartridges up' in the magazine. The Harris patents were Nos. 10,239 and 16,284 of the year 1900, and 14,640 and 17,870 of 1901. The system became obsolete almost immediately with the adoption of clips and the incorporation of a clip-loading bridge on the Lee Enfield action. This particular rifle featured in a "Rifles at Random" 2-page article in the international magazine 'Arms & Militaria Collector' No.22, when in the hands of the previous owner. Funny thing is, he doesn't recall the photos ever being taken, even though he is quoted in the article! I won't worry about posting photos of my other Lee Speeds. Although they are both quite different, they are nevertheless bog-standard No.3 Pattern rifles with no outstanding features. I love them dearly just the same! |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Marrakai, That is one fine rifle. You are very fortunate to own it. Thanks for sharing the photos. I was totally unfamiliar with this model. Curl |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Marrakai: that is a handsome looking rifle! thanks for posting those pics! DT |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Nice rifle, do you know who it was made for? I understand that the Army & Navy records are available and you can get a letter on them. |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Marrakai, That is an incredibly beautiful rifle! I saw a very similar one that Dave Norin was restoring for a client in Wisconsin a few months ago, a Greener that did not have the BSA name anywhere on it. Simply beautiful! Congratulations and good hunting! |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Marrakai: those are very nice rifles, in one of my favorite calibers. Thanks for the photos & comments. |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Marrakai, Great pics! As an owner of 2 Lee Speeds I'd like to learn more about them. There was bugger all in Skennerton's "The Lee Enfield Story". Is there a "one source for all things Lee Speed" type book out there??? SOS |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Thanks for the comments, gentlemen. I am fully aware of how lucky I am to have custody of this marvellous British sporting classic. I haven't sought a copy of the retail ledger for this rifle to date. I understand the records for Army & Navy are held at the University of Glasgow Business Record Centre, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Tel. 0141 339 8855; Fax 0141 330 4808, Attention University Archivist, or http://www.archives.gla.ac.uk/collects/guides/armynavy.html Cost is around 25 quid I believe (was BPS23.50 in 2003). I'll add it to the 'to do' list! SOS: If there is a definitive Lee Speed book, I am not aware of it. I'd certainly be interested to hear recommendations from the NE.com membership for additional reading or resource material on these charismatic rifles. |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
It's a beautiful rifle for sure and I have been lucky enough to shoot it.... thanks Marrakai.. |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
These rifles have very nice classic lines to them I can see why you love them so ... my new Hatarihas landed after 8 months wait if you like to see it please go too http://wwwfreetohunt.blogspot.com/ feel free to comment , I'll be in Darwin in Sept. ps - click on the pic's |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
I really like Lee-Enfields and that ilk. The Lee-Speed is my pattern when I remodel a No.1 or No.4 rifle. My stock pattern originally came from a Westley Richards Mauser, but it works well for practically everything. Be that as it may, I encounter two problems with Lees: 1. The trigger pull varies (with the weather) 2. Zero wanders (again, with the weather). The forends are typically bedded at the rear, top and bottom but free of contact with the knox form. They are also bedded at the forend screw, top and bottom, and at the forend tip. I have not used a forward screw, forend band or cross pin to bind the forend firmly to the barrel - UP TO THIS POINT. I think that binding the forend firmly to the barrel may alleviate the problems I elucidated. Does anyone have any comments or suggestions? |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
I own two, one fairly elaborate, although different from the one pictured and the other 'plain Jane'but I love them both. Anytime you want to unload this prize, don't hesitate to drop me a note. Dave |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Interesting gun. Lot of bloody war stories with that little gem I bet. |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
marrakai Can you refresh the pictures? |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Now that's the best looking single barreled .303 I've ever seen. Special! |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
That is a beauty, can ammo be loaded for it? It would seem that shooting it would be as big a thrill as owning it. |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Rolland: This rifle shoots to the sights with 41gr AR2209 (=H4350) beneath a 215gr RN bullet. Muzzle velocity is in the order of 2050 fps from memory. The Martini Enfield A&N sporter in my collection prefers 40gr AR2208 (=Varget) with the 215gr bullet. In the Lee Speed pictured above, that load produces a few more fps but shoots 6" high at 100yds. Mickey: the photos are now archived on NE.com, so they should be permanent. Apologies for the pink velour background material, dusty canvas from now on! |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Quote: Marrakai Thanks for bringing them back. It is alright with me if you want to pose your rifles on your Hunting Coat. |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
here is mine. It is a #3 BSA high velocity sporter with #1 Lee Enfield reciever and enfield rifiling. |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Very nice, buckbrush. Thanks for adding the photos of your little gem. Regarding original British .303 sporters, I put together a presentation for the 'guest speaker' slot at one of our Arms Collector meetings a few months back. The research notes are a bit ratty, but if I get time I'll organise them into an article and toss it up on the web. Perhaps that will draw a bit more info out of the woodwork, and fill in some of the holes. Already I have learned of additional Lee Speed commercial chamberings from previous threads on NE.com. Thanks guys! |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
I scanned the article on Lee Speeds from the Arms & Militaria Collector magazine, for those that don't have access to that fine publication. Poor quality I know, apologies, but I needed to keep it under 200kb. Hope its still readable. Enjoy! |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Marrakai- Thanks for the article, great information there! I ordered a letter for my A/N No.1 .303 and got it fairly quick. If I remember correctly, I did it all over the internet and the gal who supplied the information was quite pleasant. Mine has a smooth, chrome plated metal butt with the oiler trap. A bit odd. Many years ago Thad Scott had a Lee-Speed in .375 that Holland's had done up quite nicely. It was cased in the original Holland case and all. Terrible bore though. I lusted after it at every show and tried to wish the bore into improving. Finally it disappeared like all the others...! I haven't seen too many others in the last few years that were in good condition. |