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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Lee Speed Forum & Archive

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tinker
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Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap...
      #119743 - 29/11/08 11:22 AM

What exactly would you do if you ended up in posession of a Lee-Speed action?

I'm sitting here with an action, complete with bottom metal, trigger guard and trigger, mag catch assy, mag cutoff, and side-mounted peepsight, all hanging off the end of a stock bolt...

wondering just what should I do..?


It's not every day that one of these surface.
Kick it down the road or park it in the back of the vault for a rainy day?


What say y'all?




Cheers
Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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9.3x57
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: tinker]
      #119754 - 29/11/08 01:38 PM

Build, build, build!!

Now, now, now!!

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?


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tinker
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Posts: 4835
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: 9.3x57]
      #119755 - 29/11/08 02:07 PM

I'd been thinking that for quite some time, the Lee-Speed image and discussionfest of late has somehow gotten my interest focused on these slick little bolt rifles.

I'm not that much of a bolt rifle guy, but there are exceptions...

While out at the Reno show, I had the chance to handle a couple of them, one in 303 that seemed to have had seen much better days, and another one in 375 Express that was holding honest to Hubertus 98% orig Brit condition -- that knock-dead beautiful, spooky glass-like blacking on the furniture, perfect mechanical perfect wood yadda yadda -- total time capsule!

I'm thinking that this action would be the perfect candidate as foundation for a period replica of one of the Take-Down models in .375 with a 30" barrel in the No.1 pattern..!!


That would indeed be a good use for this action.




Cheers
Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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mehulkamdar
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: tinker]
      #119757 - 29/11/08 02:46 PM

Tinker,

You have a PM my friend.

--------------------
The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.

Mehul Kamdar


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Caprivi
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: mehulkamdar]
      #119795 - 30/11/08 02:27 AM

I suspect Mehul may have beat me to it, but I think you sell it to me, you really don't want to be wrapped up in a long drawn out project.....LOL

--------------------
To live life as it is handed to me from God


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tinker
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: tinker]
      #119799 - 30/11/08 03:00 AM

Speaking of the Lee-Speed discussionfest...



Here's an image of the action.





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Caprivi
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: tinker]
      #119804 - 30/11/08 05:36 AM

Just lovely, possibly only to be out done by the 10.99euro Westley marked one.

--------------------
To live life as it is handed to me from God


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tinker
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Reged: 12/03/05
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: Caprivi]
      #119805 - 30/11/08 05:45 AM

*...tinker looks around, under the table, behind his computer screen...*


Which Westley marked one do you speak of?




Tinker


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FrankS
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Reged: 06/10/08
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: tinker]
      #119858 - 30/11/08 04:42 PM

Here is what I'd do. Go out and buy a handful of lottery tickets. You are one lucky man. Frank

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tinker
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Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: FrankS]
      #119910 - 01/12/08 05:00 AM

Frank-

Thanks for the comment.
I really don't think I've ever seen a Lee-Speed action in this stripped and orphaned condition before.
Might be scores of them littering the landscape but I just wasn't looking.
Wasn't really looking for this one either, but here it is.
Google doesn't seem to cough up anything for me, but I don't know who the 'usual suspects' are regarding Lee-Speed spares and repair parts either.

Now, on bolts for the Lee-Speed -- I don't know whether or not an Enfield bolt will work. Time to brush up on my Lee-Speed specifics and find out.


The more I think of it, the more I like the idea of a barrel take-down configuration.
Anyone here have images of the WR Quick-Detach barrel patent for the Lee-Speed?



Cheers
Tinker


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9.3x57
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: tinker]
      #119936 - 01/12/08 11:54 AM

Tinker:

Build that .375 Express!

A Lee with virtually identical ballistics to the 9.3x57 would make a dandy bear gun for following the hounds!

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?


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tinker
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Posts: 4835
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: 9.3x57]
      #119944 - 01/12/08 01:10 PM

9mm-


I may be talking myself into doing just that.
There are two projects on the fire right now which will prove most distracting once they crown the proverbial breech.

When I was slipping this action into my back pocket on the way to the wagon, I was thinking much more of lobbing it out to the mates here on the forum than keeping it for my own use. I've been rescuing obscure and desirable tidbits such as this for nearly all my life - most often the tenure of possession is fleeting at best.

The thought of a replica Lee-Speed sporter in barrel take-down configuration (ever seen one..? - not me) chambered for the 'mini big-bore' is starting to hold some traction.
Was it Marrakai who tipped us to the Australian source for current production replica Lee-Speed Sporter rough-inlet wood kits?
Anyone here care to comment on that?

If close-to-shape wood is available with good color and figure, at an affordable price -- I might just be looking at taking this thing to completion.
(isn't that how Clinton distinguished the letting of a payload into his assistant..? never mind)

9.3, will an 'every day low price' enfield bolt work in one of these actions with little to no modification?
You got a spare out in the woodshed that you could drop in the mail?
I could build a bolt shroud in the machine shop, the engraving patterns on the high-zoot London sporters were simple and sparse, I could handle that task as well.

I bet you even have a 375 barrel in the right contour propping the chicken-coop door open out back behind the corral. I have plenty of stock from which to mill a full-rib and sight bases.

Hm.

Glen Fewless does an ultra sweet Best Blacking job, and I bet he wouldn't kick something like this off his stoop...



Waaaaitaminnit!
This could easily get out of hand and become a sporting rifle before I knew it!!




Cheers
Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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Caprivi
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: tinker]
      #119952 - 01/12/08 02:43 PM

Quote:

*...tinker looks around, under the table, behind his computer screen...*
Which Westley marked one do you speak of?

Tinker




On another thread here about the Lee there was a posting of a WR marked Lee for a opening bid of 10.99eu.

--------------------
To live life as it is handed to me from God

Edited by Caprivi (01/12/08 04:23 PM)


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tinker
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: Caprivi]
      #119953 - 01/12/08 03:00 PM

Caprivi-



Here you go, took a bit of searching through the past few days' posts but I found it.
The auction you speak of is here

Quote:

On another thread here about the Lee there was a posting of a WR marked Lee for a opening bid of 100.99eu







Cheers
Tinker



--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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Caprivi
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Re: So, a Lee-Speed action falls in your lap... [Re: tinker]
      #119957 - 01/12/08 04:31 PM

Thats the one. Still only at 33eu I think, I don't speak or read German. Cool gun. I am a WR junkie.

--------------------
To live life as it is handed to me from God


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jc5
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Reged: 10/10/07
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Now hold on... [Re: Caprivi]
      #120150 - 03/12/08 09:55 AM

Tinker,

Before you go and start making repro wood, rebluing and all that... there's a few things to notice about this action.

First, congratulations on finding this! It may be quite rare.

Notice the safety lever. It looks more like a Lee Metford MkI safety than the kind found on any SMLE. If it's a MLM MkI safety, then it is quite rare and may be more valuable than if you found an entire Lee Speed intact. They abolished and recalled those early safeties on the Gov't arms. I know some guys who are looking for those. Please post a picture of the left side of the action so we can be sure. Now look at the sear. It has the pre-SMLE single stage trigger configuration, and you don't see that on actions with an SMLE safety. Are there any markings on the rest of action? Any numbers? Proof marks? Is there anything stamped on the top-right-rear of the action---on the flat part where the bolt slides in?

I think it is unlikely that this action was a sporter. It is definitely a commercial gun, but was probably a target or volunteer model (privately purchased). Most (but not all) sporters had engraving, and sporters never had the volley sight lever, as yours does. All the evidence, therefore, leads me to conclude that this was a target or volunteer model that was made according to the MLM MkI pattern. This would have been among the very earliest commercial Lee Metfords made. The proper thing to do would be to restore it to that configuration, which is not cheap, but it's certainly possible. I know someone who has done it. If you want a sporter, you might shop around for a decent Lee Speed sporter or action. They are available, and are a lot more common than the one you've got. This one would not look right as a sporter with the safety and volley levers...sporter wood was not cut for it, and it just would not be proper.

The other parts you mentioned--bolt and bolt cover---are a bit harder to find than SMLE parts, but they are not that difficult to get.

For more info on Lee Speeds, I have posted quite a bit over on this thread: http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=23226

--------------------
Researching Lee Speeds and all commercial Lee Enfields. If you have data to share or questions, please send me a PM.


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tinker
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Identification of Lee-Speed action... [Re: jc5]
      #120204 - 03/12/08 04:39 PM

jc5-


I will heed your call to hesitation.
Also I will get it squared away in front of the camera tomorrow and get some more images of it to put up into this conversation.

Frankly, I am not married to thoughts of building this into a sporting rifle. With all the rage going around over the Lee-Speed sporters, my limited taste for bolt rifles has been wet for a good old one with good old wear all over it.
Perhaps the winds will blow one my way some time.

The action you see above here at the top of this thread, it had been under the thumb of someone with many more guns than I have, and the right time came along to whisk it away so I took the opportunity.
I just about half-figured that I'd end up with it only temporarily.
I am not against trading it off to someone better prepared to do it's proper justice.



Cheers
Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


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Sarg
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Re: Identification of Lee-Speed action... [Re: tinker]
      #120210 - 03/12/08 06:02 PM

Tinker - Do you think the wind blows from the South a all ?

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tinker
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Reged: 12/03/05
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Re: Identification of Lee-Speed action... [Re: Sarg]
      #120212 - 03/12/08 06:27 PM

Sarg-

I'll hoist a wind-sock and see if I can catch one!


I think you'd noted in our conversation much of what was just noted here on this action.
I'm listening and learning.
Look here tomorrow for some close up images of the marks on this action.
I look forward to seeing what comes of this.


Cheers
Tinker


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tinker
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Re: Identification of Lee-Speed action... [Re: tinker]
      #120295 - 04/12/08 11:59 AM












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Caprivi
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Re: Identification of Lee-Speed action... [Re: tinker]
      #120309 - 04/12/08 03:33 PM

For repro wood contact Great American Gunstock Co. in California. http://www.gunstocks.com/
They have a patern for a pretty good looking Lee-like sporter.

--------------------
To live life as it is handed to me from God


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Marrakai
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Re: Identification of Lee-Speed action... [Re: Caprivi]
      #120329 - 04/12/08 10:57 PM

Quote:

Was it Marrakai who tipped us to the Australian source for current production replica Lee-Speed Sporter rough-inlet wood kits?
Anyone here care to comment on that?




OK Tinker, bit late, but here's a pic of the offering from Goeff Slee in Australia, complete with tenon for horn fore-end tip:




and here's a finished example (but not by me!):




...and just for no particular reason, here's the "Sporting .303s" display I put together
for the Northern Territory Arms Collectors booth at the Royal Darwin Show mid-year:



--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au


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tinker
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Re: Identification of Lee-Speed action... [Re: Marrakai]
      #120342 - 05/12/08 02:59 AM

Nice Spacers!




Cheers
Tinker


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Caprivi
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Re: Identification of Lee-Speed action... [Re: tinker]
      #121146 - 14/12/08 10:10 AM

May this be a bolt that will work ?????????????? Says Lee Metford pre-1895.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=118124142

--------------------
To live life as it is handed to me from God


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jc5
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Re: Identification of Lee-Speed action... [Re: Caprivi]
      #121223 - 15/12/08 05:47 AM

That bolt is not correct for Tinker's receiver, though it might work in a pinch if all you cared about was firing the rifle (assuming it headspaced OK). I would not do it.

The bolt on auction looks like an MLM MkII bolt, so it would probably lack the cutouts for the safety lever to work. Also the bolt head is completely different from the MLM MkI and MkI* bolt, which is what Tinker needs.

Attached is an image of what the proper bolt would look like.

Cheers,
JC




--------------------
Researching Lee Speeds and all commercial Lee Enfields. If you have data to share or questions, please send me a PM.


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