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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Lee Speed Forum & Archive
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ALAN_MCKENZIE
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Reged: 24/03/04
Posts: 1214
Loc: Western Australia
RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action
      #16235 - 26/06/04 09:56 PM

Finally got my camera back so here are some pics of a good old rifle.

--------------------
"Dogs always bark at their master"
Sir Seretse Khama.25th June 1949

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Marrakai
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3598
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
      #16240 - 27/06/04 12:02 AM

Very nice, Alan! Never seen a Rigby-marked Lee Speed in the flesh myself, hope the first one I DO see has a 'For Sale' sign attached!

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

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470Rigby
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Reged: 23/02/04
Posts: 328
Loc: Melbourne, Australia
Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
      #16241 - 27/06/04 12:44 AM

Alan

Is that Serial No. 1006 on the trigger guard??

If so, that would make it the 6th Magazine Rifle made (or in this case, sold) by Rigby's - seeing that the first one was allocated No. 1000. A very rare and classic rifle indeed!

BTW - if you ever tire of it and would like to see it go to a good home?? (PSST - It would only go rusty in the tropics )

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ALAN_MCKENZIE
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: 470Rigby]
      #16254 - 27/06/04 01:56 PM

The serial number on the trigger guard is # 1006..
I used baby powder to highlight the Rigby name,its not dirt or rust on the barrel.

The pics dont do the rifle justice.

Marrakai how do you protect your firearms from rust in the tropics.

Alan

--------------------
"Dogs always bark at their master"
Sir Seretse Khama.25th June 1949

Edited by ALAN_MCKENZIE (27/06/04 10:53 PM)

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BFaucett
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Reged: 13/01/04
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: 470Rigby]
      #16258 - 27/06/04 03:06 PM

In reply to:

Is that Serial No. 1006 on the trigger guard??

If so, that would make it the 6th Magazine Rifle made (or in this case, sold) by Rigby's - seeing that the first one was allocated No. 1000. A very rare and classic rifle indeed!



In reply to:

The serial number on the trigger gaurd is # 1006..



Oh man!, what a treasure!! Very, very nice, Alan. Thanks for sharing the photos!

-Bob F.

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ALAN_MCKENZIE
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: BFaucett]
      #16259 - 27/06/04 04:22 PM

The only thing missing from the rifle is a peep sight which fits into the dove tail at the back of the bolt.

Has anybody ever seen one fitted?
Al

--------------------
"Dogs always bark at their master"
Sir Seretse Khama.25th June 1949

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Gibbs505
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
      #16262 - 27/06/04 04:27 PM

That is so nice!!

--------------------
So I can't spell, so what?

Those who beat their swords into ploughshares, will plough for those who don't!

Those who fail to learn from history will be doomed to repeat it

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470Rigby
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Reged: 23/02/04
Posts: 328
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
      #16266 - 27/06/04 05:37 PM

Alan

Rigby's used their own pattern cocking piece aperture sights. Fairly common on 98 Mausers, but I could only guess about what might have been on one of their Lee Speeds.

Jack Millar - the Melbourne Gunsmith was making up repros at one stage - he might still have some, but is suffering some ill health at the moment.

If your'e interested in getting hold of one, I could make some enquiries on your behalf??

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470Rigby
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Reged: 23/02/04
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
      #16272 - 27/06/04 09:47 PM

Alan

Here is a scan from a Rigby catalogue showing their Aperture sight

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Marrakai
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3598
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
      #16296 - 28/06/04 08:55 PM

Alan:
In reply to:

Marrakai how do you protect your firearms from rust in the tropics.


We simply wear the rust off with constant use, before it takes hold!

Seriously, I make up a concoction consisting of equal parts AlCom No.2 Waterproof grease (un-coloured), and good-quality German light machine oil. The mix is shaken vigorously until a single honey-like consistency is achieved (takes a while!). Apply with soft cloth.

This stuff stays put no matter what, is perfect for barrel-channels under the stock, repels heavy rain, and lubricates working parts. I don't use it in the bore, though it would obviously be fine for that, but I prefer Sweets Oil 'cause it seems to lift any residual fouling while preventing rust.

I have carried many of my rifles including vintage doubles through some spectacular tropical down-pours, with no ill effects whatsoever. Most British hunting rifles were designed and built for hard work in the far-flung out-posts of Empire, bit silly treating them with kid-gloves today!



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

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Nick_Adams
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Reged: 20/12/03
Posts: 148
Loc: USA
Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: Marrakai]
      #16322 - 29/06/04 10:44 AM

Very nice looking .303 Rigby! Is that a 5-rd magazine?

--------------------
________________________________

Remember ...

"Only accurate rifles are interesting."

.300 H&H.


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ALAN_MCKENZIE
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: Marrakai]
      #16323 - 29/06/04 11:25 AM

Thanks Marrakai for the info,where do you get the grease from ?
Yes it is a 5 shot magazine engraved on the bottom..
Al

--------------------
"Dogs always bark at their master"
Sir Seretse Khama.25th June 1949

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Marrakai
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Reged: 09/01/03
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
      #16336 - 29/06/04 10:41 PM

Alan:
In reply to:

where do you get the grease from ?



I'm afraid I dont know where I'm going to get my next tub of grease from!

The last one, bought a decade ago and now almost all gone, was marketed by Molybond. I can't find AlCom No.2 grease on the Molybond website, so I guess its gone for good. I have tried to find a locally-available replacement, but all the POL companies including Castrol are now putting ghastly coloured dyes in their water-proof greases! Instead of that lovely light-yellow colour, they have to be dark-green, bright-navy-blue, or dark crimson! WTF!!! It must cost them money to put the dyes into the grease, so why do it? Cracks me up!

If anyone can recommend an un-coloured water-resistant grease, please post details!

I have been giving some thought to the lanolin-based corrosion-inhibitors lately, Lano-cote(UK), Lano-guard (NZ), and finally Lano-tech (Oz). They have either a brown or poo-green colour, but are not dyed and should be relatively colourless applied as a thin film. Anyone using this stuff on firearms care to comment?

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

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ALAN_MCKENZIE
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: Marrakai]
      #16340 - 30/06/04 01:17 AM

Thanks mate for info.

In reply to lanolin question:- I tried and used the Aussie product but rang the manufacturer first to see if it was ok to use on saddles.
I dont know who I got on the phone but he told me that the base ingrediants were wool lanolin and white spirit .
I had a tub of pure lanolin ,added a big dollop to a glass jar and filled it with white spirit.
Half a gallon cost me about $6-00 to make and does the same job.
I've thinned it down to use on firearms in storage and so far no problems except that you need white spirit to remove from your firearms
Al

--------------------
"Dogs always bark at their master"
Sir Seretse Khama.25th June 1949

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Marrakai
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/03
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
      #16377 - 02/07/04 01:39 AM

Good idea, I'll give that a go too.
Anhydrous lanolin, I presume?

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

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ALAN_MCKENZIE
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: Marrakai]
      #16391 - 02/07/04 05:47 PM

Yes definately without water.
If you want some I will send you some up.
Al

PS.What I should have said was dont use water soluable lanolin...

--------------------
"Dogs always bark at their master"
Sir Seretse Khama.25th June 1949

Edited by ALAN_MCKENZIE (04/07/04 11:30 AM)

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Levallois
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Reged: 27/11/03
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Loc: Arizona, USA
Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
      #16412 - 04/07/04 11:17 AM

BeeeUtiful rifle! I had a BSA marked No. 2 pattern in 303 for a while and then traded for an F. Beesley marked No. 1 pattern in 375 Express with the flat top engine turned rib, engraving, and extra cost tang safety, which I still have. Yours looks like a No. 1 as well.

All these BSA built sporting rifles are really beautiful. I always have wondered how much "regulating" and modifying firms like Rigby or Beesley actually did to these since they look exactly like the rifles in my 1920s BSA catalogue.

John

--------------------
It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do.

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BSAJoe
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Reged: 15/06/04
Posts: 47
Loc: Texas
Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: 470Rigby]
      #16531 - 09/07/04 03:48 PM

Gorgeous BSA Lee Speed rifle! Definitely a keeper.
Regarding the mention of a peep sight, I have a striker/bolt peep sight on a BSA&M marked No. 2 Pattern Lee Speed that came out of BC, Canada. I'll round up a pic tomorrow to post. It is not a Rigby-type and I have not found any mention in the BSA catalogue reprint of a bolt peep sight, which makes me wonder if it is a custom job.
Either way, it is very nice.


--------------------
"A man and a gun and a star and a beast are still ponderables in a world of imponderables." Ruark

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mickey
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Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho
Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: BSAJoe]
      #16570 - 11/07/04 01:10 PM

Here is one for those of you that are looking to buy one.

Alex Martin, Custom BSA .303 British $2,450

Glasgow Lee-Speed Patent Sporter

24" barrel with sling eye , 1 standing, 2 folding and 1 tangent elevator rear sight. Checkered stock with horn forend tip, composition PG cap and trapdoor steel buttplate. Lightly engraved action with both cocking-piece and tang safeties. Small silver oval in stock engraved: Lord Falconer -Scot's Guards. Weight: 7lbs, 4oz. 90% original blue. Recently varnished stock

http://www.hallowellco.com/alex_martin____custom_lee.htm


--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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BSAJoe
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
      #16596 - 12/07/04 09:18 AM

Here is the pic of my A&N BSA&M Lee Speed with striker/bolt peep sight:



Joe
In Houston
Always looking for BSA Lee Speed rifles..

--------------------
"A man and a gun and a star and a beast are still ponderables in a world of imponderables." Ruark

Edited by BSAJoe (12/07/04 09:39 AM)

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470Rigby
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Reged: 23/02/04
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: BSAJoe]
      #16633 - 13/07/04 06:03 AM

Joe

That's a Lyman aperture sight mounted on the cocking piece.

Not unusual on British rifles, so there is every chance that it could have been factory-fitted.

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ALAN_MCKENZIE
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: 470Rigby]
      #16805 - 16/07/04 09:10 PM

Rigby 470 did you receive my email re the peep sight.
I would be interested to see what turns up.
Alan

--------------------
"Dogs always bark at their master"
Sir Seretse Khama.25th June 1949

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470Rigby
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
      #16827 - 17/07/04 07:47 AM

Alan

Yes, I did. Jack Millar has moved out of Melbourne and is severely ill with Kidney disease (more ill than I had thought). He is frequently on dialysis apparently - I am trying to find out if he is up to taking calls before I attempt to contact him directly.

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DPhillips
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: 470Rigby]
      #16857 - 18/07/04 09:42 AM

Don't know if you guys are interested, but here's a Lee Speed 303 sporterized Mk 3 short Lee Rifle, good...$85
http://www.thadscott.com/rifles.html

Not sure what kind of gun you buy for $85 these days...

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mehulkamdar
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Re: RIGBY 303 on Lee Speed action [Re: ALAN_MCKENZIE]
      #16929 - 20/07/04 08:19 AM

Alan,

Beautiful rifle. I am sure you will enjoy hunting with such a magnificent old gun.

Congratulations in advance for the trophies that you are sure to harvest with this "hunting buddy."

Good hunting and I'll look forward to seeing pictures of your trophies here.


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

Mehul Kamdar

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