Marrakai
.416 member
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3696
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
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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!
Edited by CptCurl (08/10/08 11:34 PM)
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CptCurl
.450 member
Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5313
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
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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
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RoscoeStephenson.com
YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.
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Double_Trouble
.375 member
Reged: 27/04/06
Posts: 577
Loc: Canada
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Marrakai:
that is a handsome looking rifle!
thanks for posting those pics!
DT
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Double Trouble,
Speak not of what you do not know.
Listen up when it's time to.
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Michael_Petrov
.224 member
Reged: 29/11/05
Posts: 29
Loc: Alaska
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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.
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mehulkamdar
.416 member
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
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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!
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The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.
Mehul Kamdar
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Nick_Adams
.300 member
Reged: 20/12/03
Posts: 154
Loc: USA
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Marrakai: those are very nice rifles, in one of my favorite calibers. Thanks for the photos & comments.
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________________________________
“Only accurate rifles are interesting."
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Savuti_One_Shot
.300 member
Reged: 24/01/07
Posts: 139
Loc: Florida
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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
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Marrakai
.416 member
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3696
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
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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.
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Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
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www.marrakai-adventure.com.au
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Matt_Graham
Sponsor
Reged: 26/02/04
Posts: 602
Loc: Australia
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It's a beautiful rifle for sure and I have been lucky enough to shoot it.... thanks Marrakai..
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www.huntaust.com.au
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lapua
.333 member
Reged: 15/05/05
Posts: 445
Loc: Australia
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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
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Cheers
lapua
ADF VETERAN ARMY
Lest We Forget
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Carpetsahib
.333 member
Reged: 29/04/07
Posts: 435
Loc: Western NC
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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?
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dnovo
.333 member
Reged: 21/02/05
Posts: 490
Loc: Chicago & SE Wisconsin
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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
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Time Wounds All Heels
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577express
.275 member
Reged: 18/02/07
Posts: 67
Loc: U.S.
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Interesting gun. Lot of bloody war stories with that little gem I bet.
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mickey
.416 member
Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho
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marrakai
Can you refresh the pictures?
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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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DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27627
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
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Now that's the best looking single barreled .303 I've ever seen. Special!
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Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
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Rolland
.333 member
Reged: 31/12/06
Posts: 315
Loc: Camp Verde, AZ
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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.
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Marrakai
.416 member
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3696
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
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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!
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Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
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www.marrakai-adventure.com.au
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mickey
.416 member
Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho
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Quote:
Rolland:
...
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!
Marrakai
Thanks for bringing them back.
It is alright with me if you want to pose your rifles on your Hunting Coat. 
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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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buckbrush
.300 member
Reged: 23/08/07
Posts: 120
Loc: Alberta
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here is mine. It is a #3 BSA high velocity sporter with #1 Lee Enfield reciever and enfield rifiling.
Edited by CptCurl (08/10/08 11:32 PM)
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Marrakai
.416 member
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3696
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
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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!
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Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
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www.marrakai-adventure.com.au
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Marrakai
.416 member
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3696
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
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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!
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Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
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www.marrakai-adventure.com.au
Edited by CptCurl (08/10/08 11:33 PM)
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A10ACN
.300 member
Reged: 30/01/05
Posts: 198
Loc: USA
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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.
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